"India and Kuwait Forge Powerful Alliance: Uniting Cultures and Strengthening Defence Cooperation"

Arun Kumar Chatterjee, MEA Secretary CPV and OIA, highlighted in a special briefing that the newly signed MoUs aim to enhance the bilateral relationship and explore new avenues for cooperation between the countries involved.

P24 News Media

December 22, 2024

1 minute

India

During an official visit to Kuwait, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Kuwaiti government formalized four significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing cooperation in defence, sports, and cultural domains, as reported by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday. This strategic engagement is expected to solidify the existing bilateral relationship and will pave the way for new collaborative opportunities.

In a media briefing, MEA Secretary CPV and OIA, Arun Kumar Chatterjee, emphasized the importance of these agreements. He stated that following productive discussions between delegations, the two nations have committed to several key documents. The first pertains to defence collaboration, followed by a Cultural Exchange Program scheduled for the years 2025-2029, and an Executive Program focusing on sports cooperation from 2025 to 2028. Notably, Kuwait has also joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) during this visit.

Chatterjee expressed confidence that this landmark visit would herald a new era in India-Kuwait relations. Both countries were able to pinpoint crucial areas for enhanced cooperation, and the respective governments are poised to work towards realizing the outlined plans.

One of the MoUs specifically addressing defence aims to institutionalize the partnership in this critical sector. The agreement highlights several areas for collaboration, including training initiatives, personnel exchanges, joint military exercises, and partnerships in the defence manufacturing domain, along with research and development efforts.

Furthermore, the Cultural Exchange Program (CEP) between India and Kuwait for 2025-2029 is set to foster richer interactions in various artistic avenues, such as music, dance, literature, and theatrical performances. It will also aim to bolster efforts in cultural heritage preservation, along with encouraging research and organization of cultural festivals.

On the sports front, the Executive Programme for Cooperation will play a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral relations by facilitating exchanges among sports leaders, participation in various sports initiatives, and sharing expertise across disciplines, including sports medicine and management.

An important development during the visit was Kuwait's formal induction into the ISA, which addresses challenges related to the deployment of solar energy and aids member nations in establishing sustainable energy practices, fostering low-carbon growth avenues.

Chatterjee pointed out that the Kuwaiti government recognized the notable contributions of the Indian community to its economy. Both nations have agreed to engage working groups in health and education sectors to scout for new collaborative opportunities.

He elaborated on the significance of the Indian community, underlining its role in the Kuwaiti economy across various sectors, particularly health and education. The formation of dedicated working groups signifies a concerted effort to regularly meet and explore cooperative prospects in these vital areas.

Moreover, Chatterjee highlighted the anticipation of increased visits from Kuwaiti delegations following the establishment of new cooperation channels. He articulated that elevating the relationship to a strategic partnership entails a deeper commitment between the two countries, characterized by increased cooperation across multiple sectors.

The health sector was identified as a crucial area for collaboration, with discussions revolving around potential investments from Kuwait in Indian pharmaceuticals. Expanding trade relations to enhance pharmaceutical exports is also an agenda item that both nations are keen to pursue.

Prime Minister Modi concluded his two-day visit to Kuwait and departed for New Delhi following several engagements aimed at strengthening ties between India and Kuwait. The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, extended a personal gesture by seeing off the Indian Prime Minister at the airport, symbolizing the mutual respect and commitment to a collaborative future.