Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived in Kuwait on Saturday on a two-day trip, received a rousing ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour in Kuwait's Bayan Palace. He also met with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, where the two spoke about India-Kuwait relations in areas of trade, investment and energy.
This is Modi's maiden visit to the Gulf nation and the first by an Indian prime minister in 43 years. The last Indian prime minister to visit Kuwait was Indira Gandhi in 1981.
The Ministry of External Affairs took to X to update details of the Prime Minister's visit. "A special welcome on historic visit! PM Narendra Modi arrives at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait to a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour. Warmly received by HH Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, PM of. Extensive talks with HH the Amir, Crown Prince and PM of Kuwait lie ahead," the post read.
The PM will also visit Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah to discuss bilateral ties between the countries in key areas including defence and trade.
Earlier, the Kuwait Emir presented Modi with the prestigious Mubarak Al-Kabeer order for his role in bolstering the ties between Kuwait and India.
The Prime Minister, in an exclusive chat with Kuwait's state media, had hailed India's relations with Kuwait and how trade and commerce were two important pillars of the bilateral relationship. "We are very happy to see 'Made in India' products, particularly in automobile, electrical and mechanical machinery and telecom segment, make new inroads in Kuwait," Modi said, stressing how diversification to non-oil trade was important to achieving greater bilateral trade.
He also recalled how discoveries in Falaika Island were proof of trade between India and Kuwait since time immemorial."The Indian Rupee was a legal tender in Kuwait till 1961. This shows how closely our economies were integrated," Modi said.
Met Indian workers at the Mina Abdullah. Here are highlights of a very special and memorable interaction… pic.twitter.com/9tuIE67f6r
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 22, 2024
On Saturday, the Prime Minister visited the spic labour camp in Kuwait where he interacted with Indian workers and hailed their contributions to the economy.
