NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Sunday agreed to elevate India-Kuwait relations and discussed cooperation in key sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, FinTech, infrastructure, and security.
PM Modi, on the second day of his two-day visit to Kuwait, was welcomed with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Bayan Palace. He held discussions with the Emir, Prime Minister Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and Crown Prince Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah on further enhancing bilateral ties.
During the meetings, both leaders focussed on the importance of strengthening cooperation across various sectors including trade, investment, defence, security, technology, health, education, and people-to-people exchanges. A key outcome of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation, which aims to facilitate joint exercises, the supply of defence equipment, and research and development collaboration. Additional MoUs were also signed to promote cooperation in sports, culture, and solar energy.
PM Modi congratulated the Emir for successfully hosting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit earlier this month. He also thanked the Kuwaiti leadership for their efforts in ensuring the well-being of over one million Indians residing in Kuwait.
In a post on X, PM Modi described his meeting with the Emir as “excellent” and reaffirmed the close ties between the two nations, expressing optimism that the elevated strategic partnership would lead to further flourishing relations.
” Excellent meeting with His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah. We discussed cooperation in key sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, FinTech, Infrastructure and security. In line with the close ties between our nations, we have elevated our partnership to a strategic one and I am optimistic that our friendship will flourish even more in the times to come.” PM Modi said in a post on X.

The visit, which also saw PM Modi being awarded the prestigious Mubarak Al-Kabeer Medal by the Emir, is the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years.
PM Modi also extended an invitation to the Emir to visit India, further cementing the growing partnership between the two countries.
Kuwait is one of India’s top trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching USD 10.47 billion in the financial year 2023-24, and India being the largest supplier of crude to the Gulf nation.