Indian PM Narendra Modi to visit Kuwait this weekend

As per the Ministry of External Affairs website, he is the first Indian PM to visit the Middle East nation in 43 years.

Modi will be visiting Kuwait at the invitation of Kuwait Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

During his stay, he will interact with the Indian community in Kuwait.

"India and Kuwait share traditionally close and friendly relations which are rooted in history and have been underpinned by economic and strong people-to-people linkages. India is among the top trading partners of Kuwait. The Indian community is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait," read a statement issued by the MEA.

Indo-Kuwaiti relations have always had an important trade dimension.

India has consistently been among the top trading partners of Kuwait.

"Total bilateral trade with Kuwait during FY 2023-24 was US$ 10.47 billion," as per a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait.

Indian Exports have increased from US$ 1.56 billion in 2022-23 to US$ 2.1 billion in 2023-24 with YoY growth of 34.7% with top Five export items being Aircraft parts, Cereals, organic Chemicals. Vehicles, Electric machinery. During FY 2023-24, Kuwait was the 9th largest oil supplier with about 3.0 % of India’s total energy needs.

Indian PSUs viz. TCIL, New India Assurance, LIC, Oriental Insurance have offices in Kuwait, in association with local sponsors, as per prevailing regulations.

Indian private sector companies such as Air India, Indigo, Akasa Air,  L&T, Shapoorji Pallonji, Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd, TERI, WIPRO, Tata, Ashok Leyland, KEC, Kirloskar etc. are also present in Kuwait with local tie-ups.