India, Kuwait elevate ties to strategic partnership; Sign defence MoU

New Delhi: India and Kuwait on Sunday elevated their ties to a strategic partnership aimed at broadening the scope of Kuwaiti investment in the world's fastest-growing major economy, and also signed a deal to enhance defence cooperation on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with the Gulf state's highest national award.

Modi met the top Kuwaiti leadership including Amir, Crown Prince and the PM of the oil-rich Gulf state on Sunday. During his meeting with Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Kuwait City, the bilateral ties were elevated to a strategic partnership.

The Amir looked forward to the greater role and contribution of India towards realisation of Kuwait Vision 2035. He conferred upon Modi The Order of Mubarak Al- Kabeer, the highest national award of Kuwait.


The PM also met Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait. During his meeting with Kuwaiti PM Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the two leaders discussed a roadmap to strengthen the strategic partnership in areas including political, trade, investment, energy, defence, security, health, education, technology, cultural, and people-to-people ties, officials informed.

The two PMs emphasized on deepening economic cooperation between the two countries. The PM invited a delegation comprising the Kuwaiti Investment Authority and other stakeholders to visit India to look at new opportunities in the fields of energy, defence, medical devices, pharma, food parks, among others.

The leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of bilateral agreements and MoUs after the talks. These included an MoU on defence cooperation, a cultural exchange programme, an executive programme on cooperation in sports and the framework agreement on Kuwait joining the International Solar Alliance.

Key areas of defence cooperation include training, exchange of personnel and experts, joint exercises, cooperation in the defence industry, supply of defence equipment, and collaboration.

In an interview with Kuwait News Agency, Modi noted that India and Kuwait share multifaceted ties rooted in history, culture and mutual respect and that the strong relations extend across energy, trade and investments.

The prime minister could visit Saudi Arabia in early 2025.