Context: The Indian Prime Minister recently concluded a two day visit to Kuwait. The two nations agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a “Strategic Partnership.”
Relevance of the topic:
Prelims: Gulf Cooperation Council
Mains: Bilateral Relations- India-Kuwait Relations
Key takeaways from the Visit:
- Strategic Partnership: Both leaders agreed to elevate India-Kuwait relations to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ to enhance cooperation across various sectors viz. political, trade, defense, security, and cultural areas.
- Joint Commission on Cooperation (JCC): A JCC was established to monitor bilateral relations, headed by the Foreign Ministers of both countries.
- Joint Working Groups (JWGs): New JWGs were formed in areas of trade, investment, education, and security to facilitate cooperation.
- Trade relations: Both sides emphasised the importance of trade and discussed enhancing bilateral trade and investment opportunities in various sectors like infrastructure and food parks.
- Energy cooperation: Discussions included transforming energy cooperation into a comprehensive partnership. Kuwait's membership in the International Solar Alliance was welcomed as a step towards sustainable energy collaboration.
- Defence cooperation: An MoU was signed to strengthen defense ties through joint exercises, training, and development of defence technology.
- Counter-terrorism: Both countries condemned terrorism and agreed to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts.
- Health: The visit reinforced health cooperation, including Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing in Kuwait.
- Cultural exchange: A Cultural Exchange Programme for 2025-2029 was renewed to promote arts and cultural ties.
- Sports cooperation: An Executive Programme for sports cooperation was signed for 2025-2028.
- Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’: The Amir conferred upon the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the highest award of Kuwait, ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’.
Importance of Kuwait for India:
Historical: Kuwait and India have enjoyed cordial relations since the beginning. Geographical proximity, historical trade links, cultural affinities have all continued to nurture the longstanding relationship.
- Kuwait and India are the members of Non-aligned Movement (NAM).
- Both share identical views on various regional and international matters and have been cooperating with each other in international forums.
- High level discussions and consultations between the two friendly countries is a regular feature of bilateral relations.
- Until 1961, the Indian currency note – the Rupee was a legal tender in Kuwait.
Present context:
- Location: Its geopolitical location in the Persian Gulf and its image as a neutral player in the region make it a significant player for India.
- Economic Security: Kuwait has a $924 billion sovereign wealth fund and is also a founding member of blocks like OPEC and GCC.
- Gulf Cooperation Council: Kuwait can play a significant role in India’s engagement with the GCC. India intends to sign a Free Trade Agreement with GCC.
- Energy Security: Kuwait supplies about 3% of India’s crude oil requirements, both nations plan to transform energy ties from a buyer-seller dynamic to a comprehensive partnership, including collaborations in oil, gas, and renewable energy. Kuwait has expressed interest in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve Programme.
- Diaspora: There is a strong 1 million Indian diaspora contributing to “talent, tech and tradition” in Kuwait.
India’s Foreign Policy towards West Asia
- ‘Extended Neighborhood’: India considers the Kuwait as part of its ‘extended neighborhood’.
- Look West Policy: It was adopted in 2005 to deepen cooperation with West Asian countries and meet India’s national interests in the region.
