Kuwait City, Dec 22 (NationPress) In a significant move to strengthen ties, India and Kuwait have agreed to elevate their relationship to a 'Strategic Partnership'. On Sunday, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark two-day visit to this crucial Gulf nation, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at institutionalizing bilateral cooperation in defence.
Recognizing the importance of defence within their strategic alliance, both nations believe that this MoU will establish a robust framework to enhance bilateral defence relations. This includes collaborative efforts such as joint military exercises, training of defence personnel, coastal defence initiatives, maritime safety, and the joint development and production of defence equipment.
The two nations also strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism. They called for actions to disrupt networks that finance terrorism and eliminate safe havens and terror infrastructures.
In appreciation of their ongoing security collaboration, both parties agreed to boost cooperation in counter-terrorism operations, sharing information and intelligence, and improving best practices and technologies. They also aimed to enhance cooperation in law enforcement, anti-money laundering, drug trafficking, and other transnational crimes, as detailed in the Joint Statement released after PM Modi's visit.
Moreover, discussions took place to advance cooperation in cybersecurity, particularly in preventing the use of cyberspace for terrorism, radicalization, and disrupting social harmony.
The two sides expressed keen interest in deepening collaboration in technology, including emerging technologies, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence. They explored opportunities for B2B cooperation, furthering e-Governance, and sharing best practices to support industries and companies in navigating policies and regulations in the electronics and IT sector.
The Kuwaiti officials also showed interest in partnering with India to bolster food security. They discussed various collaborative opportunities, including investments by Kuwaiti firms in food parks across India.
India welcomed Kuwait's decision to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA), representing a crucial step towards joint efforts in developing low-carbon growth trajectories and sustainable energy solutions.
New Joint Working Groups (JWGs) have been established in areas such as trade, investments, education and skill development, science and technology, security and counter-terrorism, agriculture, and culture. These complement existing JWGs focused on health, manpower, and hydrocarbons.
Both nations underscored the importance of convening meetings for the newly formed Joint Commission on Cooperation (JCC) and its JWGs in a timely manner to expand bilateral cooperation across multiple domains.
In addition to the MoU on defence, an executive programme for sports cooperation from 2025 to 2028 and a Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for 2025 to 2029 were also signed.
The CEP aims to enhance cultural exchanges in art, music, dance, literature, and theatre, as well as foster cooperation in preserving cultural heritage, conducting research and development in culture, and organizing festivals.
Meanwhile, the executive programme will strengthen sports cooperation between India and Kuwait by facilitating visits from sports leaders for experience sharing, participation in sports-related programmes, and exchanges in sports medicine, management, media, and science.
