The Prime Minister of India’s First Official Visit to Kuwait to Deepen Bilateral Ties | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
News Today Logo

The Prime Minister of India’s First Official Visit to Kuwait to Deepen Bilateral Ties

Posted 23 Dec 2024

2 min read

During the visit the PM of India conferred the highest award of the State of Kuwait ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’.

Key Outcomes of the visit

  • Strategic Partnership: India-Kuwait elevated relations to a strategic partnership.
  • International Solar Alliance (ISA): India welcomed Kuwait’s decision to join ISA for sustainable energy cooperation.
  • Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD): Highlighted the significance of ACD in regional cooperation.
    • ACD was inaugurated in 2001 aimed at capitalizing on Asia’s collective strengths. It comprises 35 countries (India is a founding member).
  • India-GCC cooperation: Kuwait, which currently holds the Presidency of GCC, has promised to support stronger ties between India and GCC member states.
  • Other Developments: Renewed Cultural Exchange Program (2025–2029), fostering arts, literature, etc; India praised Kuwait's hosting of the 4th Dushanbe Process phase on combating terrorism and strengthening border security

India- Kuwait Relations

  • Trade relations: Total bilateral trade with Kuwait during FY 2023-24 was US$ 10.47 billion. (India is trade deficit).
  • Energy security: During FY 2023-24, Kuwait was the 9th largest oil supplier with about 3.0 % of India’s total energy needs.
  • Diaspora: Indians are the largest expatriate community in Kuwait (~1 million), both in terms of number of Indian citizens and also workforce-wise.

About Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

  • The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (also called GCC) was set up in 1981.
  • Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  • It is a regional organisation comprising 6 members: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. 
  • Objectives: To enhance coordination, integration and inter-connection among its members.
  • Energy Security: GCC contributes to 35% of India’s oil imports and 70% of gas imports. 
  • Tags :
  • International Solar Alliance (ISA)
  • Strategic Partnership
  • India-Kuwait
  • Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD)
  • Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Watch News Today