The Times Kuwait Report
Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) Kuwait hosted its prestigious Annual Function & Awards Night 2025, at the Waldorf Astoria on 12 November bringing together business leaders, industry influencers, diplomats, and distinguished professionals from across Kuwait.
The event celebrated outstanding achievements and underscored the significant contributions of Indian and Kuwaiti businesses and professionals to the country’s economy.
Chairman of IBPC Kaizar Shakir described the gathering as one of the organization’s most important events of the year, noting that the event was “a platform to recognize excellence, foster collaboration, and strengthen engagement between the Indian community and Kuwait’s business ecosystem.”
The evening featured an awards ceremony honoring achievements across multiple categories, and keynote addresses by eminent businessmen and government leaders. The event was graced by Indian Ambassador H.E. Paramita Tripathi, as the chief guest, and Chairperson of global IT giant HCLTech, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, as guest of honor and keynote speaker. On behalf of Kuwait’s Minister of Commerce and Industry (MoCI),Khalifa Abdullah Al-Ajil, the director of International Relations Department at MoCI, Abdulla Alherz , conveyed best wishes and greetings
The event began with the traditional lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries, including IBPC Vice Chairman Gaurav Oberoi, Joint Secretary Sunit Arora, and Treasurer Krishen Suryakanth.
In his welcome address IBPC Secretary Suresh K.P. noted that the annual function reflects the council’s ongoing commitment to “empowering professionals and entrepreneurs, celebrating their role in Kuwait’s economic growth, and strengthening the enduring friendship between India and Kuwait.” He added that the event provided a valuable forum for networking, professional development, and showcasing innovation within the Indian business community.
The council also highlighted key achievements of its members and showcased successful Indo-Kuwaiti collaborations, reinforcing IBPC Kuwait’s role as a leading organization representing Indian entrepreneurs and professionals.
Marking the 24th Annual Day of IBPC Kuwait, Chairman Shakir in his address reflected on the organization’s journey and the start of its Silver Jubilee Year, which he described as “a milestone symbolizing resilience, relevance, and the strong relationships we have built over time.”
Elaborating further, he said “From modest beginnings, IBPC has grown into a dynamic platform connecting India’s business and professional communities with Kuwait, fostering dialogue, partnerships, and shared values that continue to shape a promising future.”
He added, “Looking ahead to our 25th year, IBPC is committed to hosting 25 meaningful events that strengthen trade, investment, entrepreneurship, culture, education, innovation, and people-to-people ties, which are the true foundation of Indo-Kuwait relationship.”
In conclusion he said that IBPC was guided by the integrity and excellence of its members, and that with the support of the Government of Kuwait, the Indian Embassy, partners, and well-wishers, IBPC would continue building bridges of opportunity, collaboration, and mutual respect between India and Kuwait.
In her address to the gathering, Ambassador Tripathi congratulated IBPC on their 24th Annual Day celebrations and commended their role in deepening business and economic relations between India and Kuwait
During the awards night, IBPC Kuwait also honored several distinguished individuals for their outstanding achievements and dedicated service to the community, and recognizing their excellence in business leadership, philanthropy, healthcare, media, and efforts to strengthen Indo-Kuwaiti relations.
The 10 awardees included:
Chairman, Fouad Alghanim & Sons Group, Fouad M.T. Alghanim, who was honored for his stellar achievements in philanthropy, entrepreneurship and service to society. The Fouad Alghanim Group is one of Kuwait’s prominent and diversified conglomerates with over 30 subsidiaries operating across the Middle East, Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom, Africa, and Australia.
Group CFO, KIPCO, Sunny Bhatia, who has been recognized among Forbes Middle East’s Top Indian Executives, was honored for his exemplary contributions to advancing goodwill, cooperation and development between India and Kuwait.
Laila Abdullah Alghanim, a distinguished Kuwaiti businesswoman, leader, and philanthropist, was honored for her visionary contributions that have significantly advanced both the economic and humanitarian spheres across the Arab world. The award recognized her exceptional achievements and humanitarian spirit epitomizing the true essence of an outstanding leader, philanthropist, and businesswoman dedicated to meaningful change.
Founding Executive Managing Editor of The Times Kuwait, Reaven D’Souza, a trailblazer in English-language journalism and a prominent voice of the Indian community, was honored for his continued commitment to building bridges between two great nations, India and Kuwait and establishing an easy synergy between their cultures and communities.
Sheikha Intisar Al Sabah, humanitarian leader and founder of Intisar Foundation, and a member of the Kuwait ruling family, was honoured for her self-empowerment programs and her relentless pursuit of peace. Her remarkable contributions have garnered global recognition, including being awarded Belgium’s insignia of the Knight in the Order of the Crown, and France’s insignia of the Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honor. Her other accolades include being named among the 50 Most Influential Women in the Arab world.
Dr. Susovana S. Nair, leading oncologist at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center, an ardent advocate for cancer awareness, and a promoter of medical collaboration between India and Kuwait, was honored for her unwavering dedication to community service, and her selfless service that touches hearts, uplifts spirits and changes lives for the better. Her contributions to society have been recognized with the prestigious ‘She the Change – Nari Udyami Award 2019’ at the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Varanasi, India, and she was selected as one of 27 extraordinary women from 173 countries.
Jafar Behbehani, entrepreneur and founder of Desert Star Trading and TriStar Motorcycles, was honored for his spirit of giving back to the community and for his distinguished contribution to strengthening Indo-Kuwait ties and fostering goodwill between the two nations. Besides being a respected Kuwaiti entrepreneur, his career reflects a remarkable blend of business leadership, community engagement, and cross-cultural goodwill.
Suryakanth Balgopal, the founder of Al Sallal International Group (ASIG WLL) and the managing director of Truebell Kuwait, as well as a pioneer in EPC and Indo-Kuwaiti business development, was honored for fostering deeper Indo-Kuwait relations.
Fahad Al Abduljaleel, cultural leader, distinguished Kuwaiti heritage scholar, and the chairman of Kuwaiti Heritage Society, was honored in recognition of his painstaking efforts in showcasing the Indo-Kuwait connect and highlighting the age-old friendship between India and Kuwait. His work is devoted to preserving Kuwait’s rich legacy, strengthening historical and cultural ties with India, and carrying forward his personal connection to the enduring bond between the two nations,
Zoyab Hussain Badri, the founder and driving force behind Al Hakimi Supermarket, one of Kuwait’s most respected destinations for authentic Indian products, was honored for bringing the richness of Indian tradition to Kuwait through quality, authenticity, and trust and his ground-breaking entrepreneurship and his efforts towards nation-building.
The event also saw a very interactive session with Roshni Nader Malhotra, chairperson of HCLTech. As the richest Indian woman entrepreneur and fifth richest woman in the world, Roshni spoke on the opportunities and challenges in India’s IT sector. She also took questions from the audience giving some insights on her own career path.
An eloquent vote of thanks was delivered by Joint Secretary of IBPC, Sunit Arora, who summed up the mood of the evening of friendship and camaraderie.The IBPC Annual Function & Awards Night 2025 marked a vibrant celebration of excellence, collaboration, and cultural engagement, a reflection of the shared spirit and enduring friendship between India and Kuwait.
Established under the aegis of the Indian Embassy, IBPC continues to play a vital role in connecting the Indian business and professional community with Kuwait’s economic landscape, as well as in promoting the welfare of the Indian community in Kuwait.
