External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Kuwait on Sunday for a day-long visit aimed at enhancing the strong and multi-faceted relationship between India and Kuwait. He was warmly welcomed by his Kuwaiti counterpart, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, upon arrival.
Focus on Strengthening Bilateral Relations
Jaishankar’s visit comes as part of ongoing efforts to deepen the partnership between India and Kuwait. During this visit, he is set to engage in comprehensive discussions with the Kuwaiti leadership on various aspects of bilateral relations. These include key areas such as political cooperation, trade and investment, energy security, cultural exchanges, and consular matters.
Namaste Kuwait.
Thank FM Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya for the warm welcome. Looking forward to my engagements today with the Kuwaiti leadership.
🇮🇳 🇰🇼 pic.twitter.com/fG0db6rMDu
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 18, 2024
In a message posted on X, Jaishankar expressed his gratitude for the warm reception, stating, “Namaste Kuwait. Thank FM Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya for the warm welcome. Looking forward to my engagements today with the Kuwaiti leadership.”
Key Areas of Discussion
The discussions are expected to cover a wide range of topics that are crucial to both nations. India and Kuwait have long-standing ties that encompass diverse sectors:
- Trade and Investment: Both countries will review existing trade relations and explore opportunities for further investment, aiming to boost economic cooperation.
- Energy Security: As a major supplier of oil to India, Kuwait plays a vital role in ensuring energy security for the country. Talks will likely focus on enhancing this partnership.
- Cultural and People-to-People Ties: Cultural exchanges and consular issues, including the welfare of the large Indian community in Kuwait, are also on the agenda.
- Regional and International Issues: The two sides will exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern, reinforcing their collaboration on the international stage.
Strengthening a Strategic Partnership
The visit underlines the importance both nations place on their strategic partnership. The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement before the visit, emphasized that this engagement would enable a review of all aspects of India-Kuwait relations, ensuring that the partnership continues to grow in strength and scope.
Jaishankar’s discussions with the Kuwaiti leadership are expected to further solidify the relationship between the two countries, paving the way for increased cooperation in the years to come.