Ministry of External Affairs Government of India

H.E. Sheikh (Dr.) Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, State of Kuwait visited India on 17-18 March 2021 at the invitation of Hon’ble External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. Both Ministers met in the morning of 18 March 2021 and reviewed all aspects of India-Kuwait bilateral relationship and discussed regional developments. They also explored ways and means to impart further dynamism in the traditional and friendly ties between the two countries.

Foreign Minister H.E. Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser also handed over to EAM a letter from Kuwait’s Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah addressed to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

A Joint Statement on establishment of a Joint Ministerial Commission at the level of Foreign Ministers to steer the relationship was issued during the visit. The Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) will act as an umbrella for all bilateral institutional engagements such as Foreign Office Consultations and Joint Working Groups. Apart from the existing Joint Working Groups on hydrocarbons, manpower and mobility, and healthcare, new JWGs on trade and investments, defence and security etc are envisaged to be established.

Foreign Minister H.E. Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser thanked Government of India for supplying Kuwait with 200,000 doses of ‘Made in India’ Covishield vaccines in February 2021. External Affairs Minister thanked the leadership and the Government of the State of Kuwait for hosting a large Indian community in Kuwait and taking care of them during Covid-19 pandemic. He hoped that Indian community will be able to resume travel to Kuwait in larger numbers soon. He also expressed India’s continued support to the State of Kuwait in its fight against Covid-19 pandemic. Both sides emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in the area of health security.

India is amongst the largest trading partners of Kuwait. There are significant opportunities for further strengthening and deepening ties in sectors such as energy, trade, healthcare, defence and security, science and technology, IT, cybersecurity, culture, education and tourism. External Affairs Minister invited more investments from Kuwait into India in diverse sectors including energy, infrastructure, food security, healthcare and education.

Both Ministers also reviewed the latest regional and international developments, and agreed to coordinate closely on issues of mutual interest in multilateral forums. The two sides will also jointly celebrate the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between them during 2021-22.