New Delhi:
It is after 43 years that an Indian Prime Minister is visiting Kuwait, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Indian community, adding that he is here to celebrate their achievements. The PM said India has manpower, skills needed by New Kuwait.
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- It takes you four hours to come here from India, but it took an Indian PM four decades to come here again, said PM Modi addressing the Indian community, stressing that this is a “special moment” for him.
- “You have filled Kuwait’s canvas with colours of Indian skills, mixed essence of India’s talent, technology and tradition,” said the PM, underlining that he is here not just to meet the Indian community but to celebrate their achievements.
- Earlier, PM Modi met Abdulla Al Baroun, who translated both Ramayana and Mahabharata in Arabic, and Abdul Lateef Al Nesef, who published the Arabic versions of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. PM Modi had mentioned about this in his monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
- The Prime Minister also met Mangal Sain Handa, a 101-year-old retired Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer living in Kuwait. The retired officer had requested on social media that he’d like to meet PM Modi.
- PM Modi said his talks with the top Kuwaiti leadership would be an opportunity to work out a roadmap for a futuristic partnership between India and Kuwait. “We deeply value the historical connection with Kuwait that has been nurtured over generations. We are not just strong trade and energy partners but also have shared interest in peace, security, stability and prosperity in the West Asia region,” PM Modi said.
- He said he is looking forward to his meetings with the Emir, the Crown Prince and the prime minister of Kuwait. The Prime Minister will attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait.
- India is among the top trading partners of Kuwait. The Indian community is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait.
- Indians form 21 per cent (1 million) of the total population of Kuwait and 30 per cent of its work-force (approximately 9 lakh). Indian workers top the private sector as well as the domestic sector workforce list, according to the Indian Embassy in Kuwait.
- Kuwait and India’s bilateral trade was valued at $10.47 billion in the financial year 2023-24. Kuwait is also India’s sixth-largest crude supplier, meeting 3 per cent of the country’s energy needs. Indian exports to Kuwait reached $2 billion for the first time, while investments by the Kuwait Investment Authority in India exceed $10 billion.
- India and Kuwait have enjoyed traditionally friendly relations, with links dating back to pre-oil Kuwait when maritime trade with India was the backbone of its economy.
