India and Kuwait Strengthen Bilateral Ties with High-Level Meetings

India's Ambassador to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, met with key Kuwaiti officials to discuss enhancing trade and defense cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held talks with Kuwait's Crown Prince at the UNGA. Further, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister to reinforce bilateral relations.

India's Ambassador to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, met with Kuwait's Minister of Commerce Industry, Khalifa Abdullah Dhahi Al-Ajeel Al Askar, on Monday to discuss enhancing bilateral trade and investment cooperation. According to the Indian Embassy in Kuwait, the meeting emphasized collaborative efforts to advance these areas.

Swaika also engaged in discussions with Kuwait's Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Bandar Salem Abdullah Al-Muzayan. The talks covered various aspects of bilateral defense cooperation, including the upcoming visit of three Indian naval ships to Kuwait.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting on September 22 with Kuwait's Crown Prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Al-Sabah, on the margins of the 79th UNGA session in New York. They focused on deepening and diversifying bilateral trade for mutual benefit. This marked the first encounter between PM Modi and the Crown Prince.

A press release by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted India's commitment to its relationship with Kuwait. Both leaders reminisced about the strong historical ties and the support for each other in areas such as energy and food security. PM Modi also expressed gratitude for the well-being of the Indian community in Kuwait.

Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya to discuss advancing India-Kuwait bilateral relations. Posting on X, Jaishankar shared about their productive meeting and the agenda to convene the Joint Commission early. India and Kuwait's friendly relations date back historically, strengthened by events like the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2021-22.

(With inputs from agencies.)