Kuwait City: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived here in the Gulf nation on a two-day visit where he will meet the Indian diaspora and hold talks with Kuwaiti leadership to “strengthen the India-Kuwait friendship across various sectors”.
Modi is visiting Kuwait at the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. His visit to Kuwait will be the first of any Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years.
On his arrival, Modi was warmly received by Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence & Interior of Kuwait.
During the visit, Modi will hold discussions with the leadership of Kuwait and also interact with the Indian community.
In his departure statement, he said his talks with top Kuwaiti leadership would be an opportunity to chalk out a roadmap for a futuristic partnership between India and Kuwait.
Modi said he was looking forward to his meetings with the Emir, the Crown Prince and the prime minister of Kuwait.
He will also attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup here in Kuwait.
The last Indian prime minister to visit Kuwait was Indira Gandhi in 1981.
Indians constitute 21 per cent (1 million) of the total population of Kuwait and 30 per cent of its work-force (approx 9 lakhs). Indian workers top the Private Sector as well as domestic sector (DSW) work force list, according to the Indian Embassy in Kuwait.
Kuwait is among India’s top trading partners, with bilateral trade valued at USD 10.47 billion in the financial year 2023-24.
