Kuwait, India agree on upgrading ties to “strategic partnership”

• The Joint Commission on Cooperation between India and Kuwait, headed by the foreign ministers of both countries, has established new Joint Working Groups to expand bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investments, education, security, and culture.

• Both India and Kuwait expressed a keen interest in supporting companies from their respective countries to cooperate in areas such as the exploration and production of oil and gas, refining, engineering services, petrochemical industries, and new and renewable energy.

• India and Kuwait noted recent meetings between their civil aviation authorities and agreed to continue discussions on increasing bilateral flight seat capacities and addressing related issues.

• India and Kuwait signed several key pacts, including an MoU on defence cooperation, a renewed Cultural Exchange Programme for 2025–2029, an Executive Programme on sports cooperation for 2025–2028, and Kuwait’s membership in the International Solar Alliance.

At the invitation of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his first official visit to Kuwait on December 21-22.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi attended the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait City on December 21, where he was honored as the ‘Guest of Honour’ by His Highness the Amir.

His Highness the Amir of Kuwait and His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, received Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Bayan Palace on December 22, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his deep appreciation to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for conferring upon him the highest honor of the State of Kuwait, “The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer.”

The leaders exchanged views on bilateral, regional, global, and multilateral issues of mutual interest. Recognizing the traditional, close, and friendly ties between their nations and their shared commitment to deepening cooperation across all fields, the two leaders agreed to elevate India-Kuwait relations to a ‘strategic partnership.’

Both leaders emphasized that this enhanced partnership aligns with the common interests of their countries and will benefit their peoples. The establishment of a strategic partnership will further broaden and deepen the historical ties between India and Kuwait.

Cooperation in key areas

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait. In light of the newly established strategic partnership, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations through comprehensive and structured cooperation in key areas, including politics, trade, investment, defense, security, energy, culture, education, technology, and people-to-people ties.

Centuries-old historical ties between Kuwait and India

The two sides recalled the centuries-old historical ties rooted in shared history and cultural affinities. They noted with satisfaction the regular interactions at various levels, which have generated and sustained momentum in their multifaceted bilateral cooperation. Both sides emphasized the importance of sustaining this momentum through regular high-level exchanges at the ministerial and senior-official levels.

The two sides welcomed the recent establishment of a Joint Commission on Cooperation (JCC) between India and Kuwait. The JCC, an institutional mechanism to review and monitor the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, will be headed by the foreign ministers of both countries.

To further expand bilateral cooperation across various fields, new Joint Working Groups (JWGs) have been established in areas such as trade, investments, education and skill development, science and technology, security and counter-terrorism, agriculture, and culture, complementing the existing JWGs on health, manpower, and hydrocarbons. Both sides emphasized the importance of convening the meetings of the JCC and the JWGs at an early date.

Both sides noted that trade has been an enduring link between the two countries and highlighted the potential for further growth and diversification in bilateral trade. They also underscored the need to promote the exchange of business delegations and strengthen institutional linkages.

Conducive environment for foreign direct and institutional investments

Recognizing India as one of the fastest-growing emerging major economies and Kuwait’s significant investment capacity, both sides explored various avenues for investments in India. The Kuwaiti side welcomed steps taken by India to create a conducive environment for foreign direct and institutional investments and expressed interest in exploring opportunities in sectors such as technology, tourism, healthcare, food security, logistics, and others.

They acknowledged the need for closer engagement between Kuwait’s investment authorities and Indian institutions, companies, and funds. Both sides encouraged companies from their respective countries to invest and participate in infrastructure projects. Furthermore, they directed the concerned authorities to fast-track and finalize the ongoing negotiations on the Bilateral Investment Treaty.

Both sides discussed ways to enhance their bilateral partnership in the energy sector. While expressing satisfaction with the existing bilateral energy trade, they agreed that significant potential remains to further expand it.

They explored avenues to transform the relationship from a buyer-seller dynamic into a comprehensive partnership, emphasizing greater collaboration in both upstream and downstream sectors.

Both sides expressed a keen interest in supporting companies from their respective countries to cooperate in areas such as exploration and production of oil and gas, refining, engineering services, petrochemical industries, and new and renewable energy. They also agreed to discuss Kuwait’s potential participation in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve Programme.

Both sides acknowledged that defense is a vital component of the strategic partnership between India and Kuwait. They welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of defense, which provides a framework to strengthen bilateral defense ties. This includes joint military exercises, training of defense personnel, coastal defense, maritime safety, and joint development and production of defense equipment.

The two sides unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. They called for disrupting terrorism financing networks, dismantling terror infrastructure, and eliminating safe havens for terrorists.

Cooperation in the area of security

Both sides appreciated their ongoing bilateral cooperation in the area of security and agreed to enhance collaboration in counter-terrorism operations, information and intelligence sharing, capacity building, and the development and exchange of best practices and technologies. They also committed to strengthening cooperation in law enforcement, anti-money laundering, drug trafficking, and other transnational crimes.

The two sides explored ways to promote cooperation in cybersecurity, particularly to prevent the use of cyberspace for terrorism, radicalization, and social disharmony. The Indian side praised the outcomes of the fourth high-level conference on “Enhancing International Cooperation in Combating Terrorism and Building Resilient Mechanisms for Border Security – The Kuwait Phase of the Dushanbe Process,” hosted by Kuwait on November 4-5, 2024.

Both sides acknowledged health cooperation as a significant pillar of their bilateral relationship and expressed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in this sector. They appreciated the mutual support extended during the COVID-19 pandemic and discussed the possibility of establishing Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in Kuwait.

Additionally, they expressed their intent to strengthen cooperation in medical product regulation as part of ongoing discussions on an MoU between their respective drug regulatory authorities.

The two sides expressed interest in pursuing deeper collaboration in technology, including emerging technologies, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence. They discussed exploring B2B cooperation, enhancing e-governance initiatives, and sharing best practices to support industries and companies in navigating policies and regulations within the electronics and IT sectors.

The Kuwaiti side conveyed interest in collaborating with India to bolster its food security. Both sides discussed avenues for cooperation, including potential investments by Kuwaiti companies in food parks in India.

Deployment of solar energy globally

The Indian side welcomed Kuwait’s decision to become a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), marking a significant step towards collaboration in fostering sustainable energy solutions and developing low-carbon growth trajectories. Both sides committed to working closely to promote the deployment of solar energy globally within the ISA framework.

Both sides noted the recent meetings between their respective civil aviation authorities and discussed increasing bilateral flight seat capacities and addressing associated issues. They agreed to continue discussions to reach a mutually acceptable solution at an early date.

Appreciating the renewal of the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for 2025–2029, which will facilitate greater cultural exchanges through arts, music, and literature festivals, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing people-to-people contacts and strengthening cultural cooperation.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the signing of the Executive Program on Cooperation in the Field of Sports for 2025–2028. This agreement will strengthen collaboration in sports, including mutual exchanges and visits of athletes, organizing workshops, seminars, and conferences, and the exchange of sports publications between the two nations.

India, Kuwait to bolster ties in education sector

The two sides highlighted education as an important area of cooperation, emphasizing the strengthening of institutional linkages and exchanges between higher educational institutions in both countries. They also expressed interest in collaborating on educational technology, exploring opportunities for online learning platforms and digital libraries to modernize educational infrastructure.

Special course for diplomats

As part of activities under the MoU between the Sheikh Saud Al Nasser Al Sabah Kuwaiti Diplomatic Institute and the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), both sides welcomed the proposal to organize a special course for diplomats and officers from Kuwait at SSIFS in New Delhi.

Contributions of the Indian community in Kuwait

Both sides acknowledged that centuries-old people-to-people ties form a fundamental pillar of the historic India-Kuwait relationship. The Kuwaiti leadership expressed deep appreciation for the contributions of the Indian community in Kuwait to the progress and development of their host country, noting that Indian citizens are highly respected for their peaceful and hardworking nature. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conveyed his gratitude to the Kuwaiti leadership for ensuring the welfare and well-being of the vibrant Indian community in Kuwait.

Cooperation in manpower mobility and human resources

The two sides emphasized the depth and importance of their long-standing cooperation in manpower mobility and human resources. They agreed to hold regular meetings of the Consular Dialogue as well as the Labour and Manpower Dialogue to address issues related to expatriates, labor mobility, and matters of mutual interest.

Both sides appreciated the excellent coordination between them at the UN and other multilateral fora. The Indian side welcomed Kuwait’s entry as a ‘Dialogue Partner’ in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during India’s presidency in 2023. The Indian side also commended Kuwait’s active role in the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD). The Kuwaiti side highlighted the importance of exploring the possibility of transforming the ACD into a regional organization.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi congratulated His Highness the Amir on Kuwait’s assumption of the GCC Presidency this year and expressed confidence that growing India-GCC cooperation will be further strengthened under his visionary leadership. Both sides welcomed the outcomes of the inaugural India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue at the level of Foreign Ministers held in Riyadh on September 9, 2024.

The Kuwaiti side, as the current GCC Chair, assured full support for deepening India-GCC cooperation under the recently adopted Joint Action Plan in areas such as health, trade, security, agriculture and food security, transportation, energy, and culture, among others. Both sides also stressed the importance of concluding the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement at the earliest.

In the context of UN reforms, both leaders emphasized the importance of an effective multilateral system, centered on a UN reflective of contemporary realities, as a key factor in tackling global challenges. They underscored the need for UN reforms, including the expansion of the Security Council in both categories of membership, to make it more representative, credible, and effective.

During the visit, India and Kuwait signed and exchanged several key agreements, marking a significant step in strengthening their bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across various fields.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defencecooperation was formalized. The two nations also renewed the Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 2025–2029.

An Executive Programme on cooperation in the field of sports for 2025–2028 was also signed between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and Public Authority for Youth and Sports, Government of the State of Kuwait. In a notable development, Kuwait became a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi expressed gratitude to His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation. The visit reaffirmed the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and Kuwait. Both leaders conveyed optimism that the renewed partnership would continue to thrive, benefiting the people of both nations and contributing to regional and global stability.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also extended an invitation to His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah; and His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-JaberAl-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait, to visit India.