Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Kuwait, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years.
On Saturday, PM Modi attended the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup as the ‘guest of honour’ and met with the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, during the event at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister shared a photo with the Emir, expressing his pleasure at meeting Sheikh Meshal during the tournament’s opening. The event also provided an opportunity for informal interactions between the two leaders.
The Arabian Gulf Cup, a biennial football tournament, features eight nations, including GCC countries, Iraq, and Yemen. Kuwait, the host country, has won the tournament the most times.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed a large gathering of the Indian diaspora at a special event, ‘Hala Modi,’ held at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex. He praised the contributions of the Indian community in Kuwait and emphasized India’s potential to become the “skill capital of the world.”
PM Modi highlighted the significant role of Indian teachers, engineers, and architects in shaping Kuwait’s future, and called on the diaspora to help drive India’s transformation into a developed nation by 2047.
The Prime Minister also expressed his pride in the diversity of the Indian community in Kuwait, calling it a “mini-Hindustan.” On Sunday, PM Modi is set to meet the Emir, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister of Kuwait.