Kuwait City, Dec 22 (NationPress) Expanding collaboration across various domains, India and Kuwait on Sunday commenced a fresh chapter in their historical relationship by officially designating themselves as strategic partners during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's momentous visit to the West Asian nation.
During his visit, PM Modi declared the advancement of India-Kuwait relations to the level of strategic partnership after an exceptional meeting with the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah at the Bayan Palace.
"We deliberated on cooperation in critical sectors such as pharmaceuticals, IT, FinTech, infrastructure, and security. In light of the strong ties between our nations, we have taken our partnership to a strategic level, and I am optimistic that our friendship will continue to thrive in the future," PM Modi shared on X.
The talks aimed at discovering avenues to elevate India-Kuwait bilateral relations, with PM Modi expressing his gratitude to the Amir for his support towards the welfare of the Indian community in Kuwait.
At the commencement of the meeting, the Amir honored Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Kuwait's highest accolade, 'The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer', in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments and the efforts made to fortify the relationship between the two nations.
'The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer' is a prestigious knighthood of Kuwait, named after the seventh ruler of Kuwait, Mubarak bin Sabah Al-Sabah, who reigned from 1896 and significantly elevated Kuwait during his time. This honor is awarded to Heads of State, foreign sovereigns, and members of foreign royal families as a symbol of friendship.
Importantly, this marks the 20th international award presented to PM Modi by a foreign country.
Earlier that day, the Prime Minister received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Bayan Palace, in the presence of Kuwaiti Prime Minister Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.
This occasion marked a pivotal moment in PM Modi's two-day visit to the Gulf nation, being the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years.
PM Modi arrived in Kuwait on Saturday afternoon at the invitation of the Amir, in a visit that further strengthens India's already strong ties with the Gulf nations.
Upon landing, PM Modi visited a labor camp in the Mina Abdullah area, where he engaged with a diverse group of Indian workers. He inquired about their well-being and highlighted several welfare initiatives launched by the Indian government over the last decade.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister addressed a large assembly of the Indian diaspora at the 'Hala Modi' event, held at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex in Kuwait City. During his speech, PM Modi praised the contributions of the Indian community in Kuwait, acknowledging their crucial role in enhancing India-Kuwait relations.
He also extended an invitation to the Indian diaspora to participate in forthcoming global events such as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and the Maha Kumbh, scheduled for next month, emphasizing India's rise as a global development hub and future growth engine for the world.
This landmark visit is set to strengthen India's collaboration with Kuwait - the current chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council - boosting cooperation in political and economic domains while cementing cultural and people-to-people connections.
