Indian Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan’s 2-day visit to Kuwait has helped further revitalize and energize the age-old friendly relations with Kuwait. In a packed two-day schedule the visiting minister held a series of meetings with senior government officials and a wide cross section of the large Indian diaspora.
While meetings with the government officials centered around bilateral relations, trade, investment and community welfare issues, the minister took time off from his busy schedule to meet with Indian community members to hear their issues of concern.
MoS Muraleedharan started his trip by paying floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at the Indian Embassy premises, and then unveiling a ‘Shilaphalakam’, a memorial plaque dedicated to the spirit of sacrifices, and in remembrance of bravehearts of the nation. He then held extensive talks with Embassy officials on counselor issues.
In the afternoon he met with representatives of some of the Indian associations to discuss community related issues. In his first meeting with members of Indian Community Support Group (ICSG) he had a brief discussion related to the Indian community and also appreciated their support and contributions for the welfare of the Indian community in Kuwait particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the ICSG meeting he had a good interaction with representatives of Indian Nurses Federation of Kuwait (INFOK). While appreciating their services, the minister pointed out that they made important contributions by strengthening the support system provided by Indian nurses in Kuwait.
The minister, along with members of professional associations such as the Indian Doctors Forum (IDF), Indian Engineers and Indian schools principals, also witnessed India’s historic landing on the moon.
Later in the evening the minister interacted with some members of the large Indian community, where he expressed pleasure to meet the dynamic and vibrant community. Calling them the building blocks of India-Kuwait relations, he briefed them on the several initiatives taken by the government of India in the country’s path to development.
Indian Ambassador H E Dr Adarsh Swaika hosted a dinner reception in honour of the visiting MoS, where he was able to interact with an elite gathering of Kuwaiti dignitaries.
The next day, in his first meeting the MoS called on the First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Talal Khalid Al-Sabah and discussed the welfare of the Indian community residing in the country.
He also had a good interaction with Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Sabah where he reviewed several aspects of the bilateral partnership and discussed ways and means to diversify the trade and investment relationship. He was also touched by the warm gesture of the Deputy FM in organizing a special cake on the success of the landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon the previous day.
The minister held his final official meeting with Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al Sabah. They had wide ranging and productive discussion on further strengthening India-Kuwait partnership in bilateral and multilateral contexts.
The meetings with Kuwaiti government officials provided an opportunity to discuss avenues to further strengthen bilateral relations in different areas. There was a clear interest on both sides to give more emphasis to the economic partnership. Diversification of bilateral trade and greater bilateral investments was stressed by both delegations. MoS expressed appreciation to the Kuwaiti side for the welfare of the Indian community in Kuwait and discussed issues affecting the Indian community.
Later the minister also visited a worker camp run by the NBTC Group, a leading local engineering and construction company, where he interacted with Indian workers and highlighted Indian PM Modi’s policies that were bringing benefits to the Indian community abroad. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment for their continued welfare and wellbeing.
In his last engagement the minister attended a reception held in his honor by the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) at the Radisson Blu Hotel. In his address to the gathering the minister highlighted the Indian government’s efforts to create a conducive environment for business and trade by removing unnecessary restrictions and compliance measures.
He further emphasized India’s transformation into a global power, highlighting its achievements in areas like food exports and pharmaceuticals, including the significant role played during the COVID-19 pandemic by supplying vaccines and medicines globally. The Minister echoed the sentiments of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by emphasizing inclusivity, development, trust, and collective efforts. He mentioned that India aspired to achieve a per capita income of US$20,000 and attain developed nation status, urging the business community’s active participation to achieve this goal.
The Minister also praised the substantial contribution of the Indian business and professional community abroad in India’s transformative journey. He underscored the importance of their contribution in India’s pursuit of becoming a developed nation. The Minister encouraged the members of the business community in Kuwait to engage in India’s growth journey, collaborating with organizations like IBPC and the Indian Embassy in Kuwait.