By Reaven D’Souza
Executive Managing Editor
When Dr. Adarsh Swaika assumed office as India’s Ambassador to Kuwait in October 2022, he stepped into a role defined by both promise and complexity. Over the past three years, the veteran Indian envoy has proven himself as an astute diplomat, committed to strengthening existing ties between India and Kuwait and broadening these relations into new areas to the mutual benefit of both nations and their people.
With over two decades in the Indian Foreign Service and a Ph.D. in Chemistry, he brought a rare blend of technical expertise, diplomatic experience, and developmental vision to his tenure in Kuwait. A patient, pragmatic, and result-oriented diplomat, Ambassador Swaika relies on sustained dialogue, goodwill and mutual cooperation in his approach to resolving issues.
His tenure in Kuwait coincided with a period of growing economic ties between India and Kuwait, the presence of over a million vibrant Indian diaspora in Kuwait, and amid the rapidly evolving geopolitical dynamics in the region.
One of Dr. Swaika’s early achievements was in fostering a record growth in bilateral trade, which reached US$13.8 billion in 2022–23. Although oil and gas imports from Kuwait, and food exports from India, have traditionally dominated bilateral trade, during his tenure Ambassador Swaika focused attention on diversifying economic engagement into sectors such as automobiles, textiles, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, automobile accessories, and in the services sector. His visionary efforts expanded the scope of economic cooperation, laying the foundation for a more balanced partnership that is less dependent on hydrocarbons.
Under Dr. Swaika’s guidance, political and institutional interactions between India and Kuwait were also significantly strengthened. After years of limited exchanges, consultations between the Indian and Kuwaiti foreign ministries were reenergized over the past three years.
The introduction of the E-Visa facility for Kuwaiti nationals under the leadership of the Indian Ambassador has been one of the most significant diplomatic achievements in recent years. This milestone has been widely welcomed across all sections of Kuwaiti society, as it has simplified travel procedures, strengthened people-to-people ties, and made business, tourism, and cultural exchanges more seamless than ever before. The initiative is being hailed as a practical deliverable that reflects the deep-rooted friendship and growing strategic partnership between India and Kuwait.
Marking 250 years of friendship, the Embassy organized a special exhibition that celebrated the long history of cultural and commercial exchanges between the two nations. The exhibition served as a reminder of the enduring legacy of mutual respect and cooperation, while also charting a vision for even closer collaboration in the years to come.
In addition to these diplomatic milestones, the Embassy has actively engaged with Kuwaiti society through a range of impactful initiatives. Mega events such as the International Day of Yoga (IDY) and the vibrant Bharat Mela have drawn thousands of participants, offering platforms to showcase India’s heritage, wellness traditions, and cultural diversity. Community-driven activities including beach cleaning campaigns, tree plantation drives, and blood donation programs further highlight the Embassy’s commitment to social responsibility and to contributing positively to the local community.
Together, these achievements reflect a dynamic and forward-looking Indian diplomacy in Kuwait, combining facilitation of travel and business with cultural celebration and community service. They underscore the Embassy’s role not only as a diplomatic mission but also as an active partner in strengthening bonds of friendship and shared progress between India and Kuwait.
A historic highlight came in December 2024, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kuwait—the first by an Indian premier in 43 years. The event was hailed for its efficient organization, its resounding success, garnering widespread applause both in Kuwait and India.
The Indian premier’s visit elevated bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership level, resulting in the creation of a Joint Cooperation Committee and seven new working groups covering trade and investment, education and skills development, defense and security, culture, consular affairs, and science and technology. By moving from ad hoc contacts to structured dialogue, the ambassador ensured a future-oriented and comprehensive partnership.
A soft-spoken diplomat, Dr. Swaika also placed a strong focus on the welfare of the Indian community in Kuwait. In April 2024, he inaugurated the Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC) in Jahra, the fourth such facility in Kuwait, bringing consular, passport, and visa services closer to residents in northern Kuwait. This initiative reduced travel burdens and enhanced accessibility for the large number of Indians living in and around Jahra Governorate, and helped to facilitate visa services for Kuwaitis in the area to visit India.
Labor and migration issues were key priorities that Dr. Swaika championed during his tenure, protecting the rights of Indian workers, promoting safe and legal migration, and ensuring fair treatment for Indian expatriates based on Kuwaiti law.
He supported the implementation of a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) on domestic workers and facilitated legal recruitment channels, balancing compliance with worker dignity. These efforts were complemented by programs to develop skills and enhance employability, in partnership with private sector stakeholders.
Cultural diplomacy was another hallmark of his tenure. Dr. Swaika ardently promoted Indian arts, textiles, cuisine, and heritage, including exhibitions of Kashmiri textiles in collaboration with the Kuwaiti Sadu House, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation.
On multilateral platforms, he strengthened cooperation with Kuwait through the Financial Action Task Force and the International Solar Alliance, emphasizing shared priorities in financial transparency, renewable energy, and global stability.
Dr. Swaika also enhanced cooperation in bilateral defense and security. Indian naval ships—INS Tir, INS Sujata, and Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, visited Kuwait ports to strengthen navy-to-navy ties and boost maritime relations between the two countries.
His successes in enhancing consular services, promoting diaspora welfare, encouraging trade diversification, and advancing cultural, defense, and technological cooperation, as well as his achievements in establishing robust institutional frameworks and facilitating high-level visits, will go a long way to further boosting bilateral ties, and in laying a firm foundation for the next phase in relationship between India and Kuwait.
In his recent farewell address to the Indian community, Ambassador Swaika praised their steadfastness, discipline and dedication to their nation and to the host country as well. He stated that their unwavering support to India was not only a source of national pride but also a vital pillar of the enduring India-Kuwait relationship.
Ambassador also paid a heartfelt farewell call on His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. During the meeting, Ambassador Swaika conveyed the warm greetings of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and expressed his sincere appreciation for His Highness’s steadfast guidance and support, which were instrumental in nurturing and strengthening bilateral relations. During the meeting, the Indian ambassador highlighted the long-standing cooperation between the two nations across trade, culture, and people-to-people ties.
The Indian diplomat’s farewell call was not merely a diplomatic formality but a moment of reflection on the journey of collaboration, trust, and friendship between the two countries. As he bids farewell to Kuwait, Ambassador Swaika expressed hope that the strong bonds cultivated over his tenure will continue to grow under the guidance of the leadership of both countries.
The ambassador highlighted the long-standing cooperation between the two nations across trade, culture, and people-to-people ties. He acknowledged the Kuwaiti premier’s consistent encouragement, which, he said, helped bilateral relations flourish and provided a firm foundation for future collaboration. The discussions reiterated the shared commitment of India and Kuwait to continue advancing their strategic partnership with mutual respect and understanding.
The Indian diplomat’s farewell call was not merely a diplomatic formality but a moment of reflection on the journey of collaboration, trust, and friendship between the two countries. As he bids farewell to Kuwait, Ambassador Swaika expressed hope that the strong bonds cultivated over his tenure will continue to grow, and that His Highness Sheikh Ahmad’s exemplary leadership will remain a guiding pillar in the continued strengthening of the India-Kuwait relationship.
Dr. Swaika’s tenure transformed India–Kuwait relations from sporadic engagement to a structured, multi-dimensional partnership. There were many areas of cooperation where Dr Swaika has left his indelible mark, from the first Hindi radio program on Kuwait radio network, to increasing flight connectivity between India and Kuwait, and to providing long-term visas for Kuwaitis.
Ambassador Swaika’s next assignment as India’s High-Commissioner to Kenya will be a new challenge that he will undoubtedly undertake successfully. Among the key issues that Ambassador Swaika will reportedly be called upon to address during his time in Kenya, would be increasing cooperation in healthcare, joint ventures in food security and cooperation in digital economy and climate change.
Dr. Adarsh Swaika who joined the Indian Foreign Service in 2002 has had previous postings in Moscow, Sofia, Beijing, and Dhaka. He has represented India at numerous UN and multilateral forums. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Russian, he has also served as Joint Secretary in various capacities in the Ministry of External Affairs, overseeing consular, Eurasian, and vigilance portfolios. He is married, with a son and a daughter.
As he prepares to bid goodbye to Kuwait, The Times Kuwait wishes him and his family the very best.
