PM in Kuwait for 2-day visit, to meet Emir and address 'Hala Modi' event

During his two-day visit to Kuwait, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with the Kuwaiti leadership, attend a football tournament, visit a labour camp and address an Indian community event there.

In Short

• Pacts on defence, trade expected to be inked during PM's Kuwait visit
• PM Modi to attend Arabian Gulf Cup's opening ceremony
• He will address 'Hala Modi' diaspora event and visit labour camp

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed today in Kuwait for a two-day visit and will hold talks with the country's top leadership, interact with the Indian community and visit an Indian labour camp there. PM Modi's trip to the Gulf country is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years. He received a warm welcome from members of Kuwait's top leadership and the Indian community at the hotel where he is staying.

Agreements in a range of key areas, including defence and trade, are expected to be signed during the visit. PM Modi is visiting Kuwait on the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

This evening, PM Modi will be interacting with the 5,000-strong Indian community at the 'Hala Modi' event and attend the inauguration ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup, a football tournament.

In his departure statement, PM Modi said he looked forwards to his meetings with the Emir and stressed it would be an opportunity to chalk out a roadmap for a futuristic partnership for the benefit of the people of both countries.

"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," he said.

"I eagerly look forward to meeting the Indian diaspora in Kuwait who have immensely contributed to strengthening of bonds of friendship between the two nations," the Prime Minister said, adding that he was confident that the visit will further strengthen and reinforce the special ties of India and Kuwait.

The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Kuwait was Indira Gandhi in 1981.

'OPEN NEW CHAPTER IN INDIA-KUWAIT TIES'

At a media briefing on Friday, Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Overseas Indian Affairs) in the MEA, said the "historic visit" of PM Modi to Kuwait was expected to "open a new chapter" in bilateral ties.

"It will not only consolidate the partnership in existing spheres but also unveil new avenues for future cooperation, reinforce our shared values and build a more stronger and dynamic partnership for the future," he said.

PM MODI'S ENGAGEMENTS IN KUWAIT

The Prime Minister will meet with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince and his counterpart. He is visiting Kuwait at the invitation of the Emir. "The visit would help develop a more dynamic partnership between the two countries," Chatterjee said.

The Prime Minister will review with the Kuwaiti leadership the entire spectrum of bilateral ties including in areas of trade, investment, energy, culture and people-to-people contacts.

The Kuwaiti Crown Prince will also host a banquet for PM Modi, according to Chatterjee.

Chatterjee said the visit was also expected to boost the ties between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The GCC is an influential grouping comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. The total volume of India's trade with GCC countries stood at USD 184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23.

Kuwait is the current chair of the GCC.

Chatterjee said India was holding negotiations with the GCC for a free trade pact. "We hope both sides will be able to conclude it," he added.

India is among the top trading partners of Kuwait. The Indian community is the largest expatriate community in the Gulf state. Kuwait is among India's top trading partners, with bilateral trade valued at USD 10.47 billion in the financial year 2023-24.

PLANNED VISIT TO LABOUR CAMP IN KUWAIT

On PM Modi's planned visit to a labour camp in Kuwait, Chatterjee said the government attached considerable importance to the welfare of all the Indian workers abroad.

"The idea of the visit of the prime minister to the labour camp is to express the amount of importance the Government of India attaches to our workers. That is the prime purpose," he said.

The Prime Minister's visit to Kuwait comes after more than 45 Indians were killed in a devastating fire in a building housing foreign workers in southern Kuwait's Mangaf locality on June 12.

"The Indian Embassy goes and sees the places where the workers are staying to see if they are fit for purpose. The Mangaf incident was unfortunate. Lessons have been learnt from the Mangaf incident," Chatterjee said.

(with inputs from PTI)