Context:
During Prime Minister’s visit to Kuwait, India and Kuwait signed four Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreements covering defence, cultural exchange, sports, and Kuwait’s membership in the International Solar Alliance.
- The Four bilateral agreements were:
- Defence Cooperation: The MoU on Defence cooperation will formalize bilateral ties in key areas such as training, personnel exchange, joint exercises, defence industry collaboration, supply of equipment, and research and development.
- Cultural Exchange Program (2025-2029): This program will promote cultural exchanges in art, music, dance, literature, and theatre, support cultural heritage preservation, and encourage research, development, and festival organization.
- Sports Cooperation Executive program (2025-2028): It will strengthen India-Kuwait sports cooperation by promoting:
- Exchange of visits by sports leaders for experience sharing
- Participation in sports programs and projects
- Exchange expertise in sports medicine, management, media, and science.
- International Solar Alliance: Kuwait has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which focuses on deploying solar energy and tackling challenges in scaling its use. The goal is to help member countries develop low-carbon growth paths.
- India and Kuwait welcomed the recent establishment of a Joint Commission on Cooperation (JCC).
Bilateral Ties Between India and Kuwait
- India and Kuwait share strong economic, political, cultural, defense, educational, and healthcare ties.
- Economic Relations
Kuwait is a key economic partner for India, with bilateral trade reaching USD 10.47 billion in FY 2023-24. Kuwait is India’s 6th largest crude oil supplier and 4th largest LPG supplier. Indian exports to Kuwait hit a record USD 2 billion, and Kuwait’s investments in India exceed USD 10 billion. - Political Relations
India and Kuwait maintain high-level political exchanges, including visits from leaders like Vice President Dr. Zakir Husain and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Recent engagements include meetings between Prime Minister Modi and Kuwait’s Crown Prince, focusing on various areas of cooperation. - Cultural Relations
Cultural exchanges are a key part of the India-Kuwait relationship, with Indian festivals, films, and food widely celebrated in Kuwait. - Defense and Security Cooperation
The two countries collaborate on joint military exercises, training programs, maritime security, counter-terrorism, and intelligence sharing to ensure regional stability. - Educational and Technological Cooperation
India and Kuwait have initiatives for educational exchanges, technological cooperation, joint research, and skill development programs.
Regional and Global Implications:
- Collaboration with GCC:
India aims to strengthen ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) under Kuwait’s presidency, focusing on finalizing the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement to increase trade, which reached $184.46 billion in 2022-23. - Shared Vision for West Asia:
India and Kuwait discussed promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the volatile West Asia region. Both countries jointly condemned terrorism and committed to dismantling terror networks.
More On News:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the ‘Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’, Kuwait’s highest honor.
- The award was presented by the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah.
- This marks Modi’s 20th international honor
- List of awards and honors Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored:
| Award/Honor | Country | Year |
| Mubarak Al-Kabeer Order | Kuwait | 2024 |
| Honorary Order of Freedom | Barbados | 2024 |
| Order of Excellence | Guyana | 2024 |
| Dominica Award of Honour | Dominica | 2024 |
| Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger | Nigeria | 2024 |
| Order of St. Andrew | Russia | 2024 |
| Order of the Druk Gyalpo | Bhutan | 2024 |
| Grand Cross of the Order of Honour | Greece | 2023 |
| Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour | France | 2023 |
| Order of the Nile | Egypt | 2023 |
| Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu | Papua New Guinea | 2023 |
| Legion of Merit | United States | 2020 |
| King Hamad’s Order of the Renaissance | Bahrain | 2019 |
| Order of Zayed | UAE | 2019 |
| Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen | Maldives | 2019 |
| Grand Collar of the State of Palestine | Palestine | 2018 |
| Amir Amanullah Khan Award | Afghanistan | 2016 |
| King Abdulaziz Sash | Saudi Arabia | 2016 |