A chance to strike gold during the Kuwait visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Kuwait on December 21-22, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Kuwait, addressing gaps in India’s engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and enhancing cooperation across various sectors. The visit follows the cancellation of Modi's scheduled visit in January 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Significance of Kuwait’s Strategic Role

• Geopolitical Importance: Despite its small size, Kuwait holds significant strategic value due to its location at the north-east of the Persian Gulf, sharing borders with Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and hosting important American military bases.
• Economic and Energy Power: Kuwait is a founding member of OPEC and has the sixth-largest oil reserves globally. Its wealth is bolstered by the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), which manages one of the largest sovereign wealth funds valued at $924 billion.
• Neutral Diplomatic Stance: Kuwait has historically maintained a neutral position on regional conflicts and has served as an intermediary in resolving disputes within the Gulf region, enhancing its diplomatic role.

Bilateral Ties and Existing Cooperation

• Historical and Cultural Links: India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Kuwait in 1961, and the two countries share deep historical and cultural ties, with the Indian community being the largest expatriate group in Kuwait.
• Trade and Energy Relations: India’s bilateral trade with Kuwait during FY 2023-24 was $10.47 billion, with Kuwait being the sixth-largest supplier of crude oil to India, accounting for about 3% of India’s total energy needs.
• People-to-People Ties: The Indian expatriate community in Kuwait plays a vital role in fostering bilateral relations, with over a million Indians living there. Cultural exchanges like the "Festival of India" and the ‘Namaste Kuwait’ radio show reflect the strong people-to-people connections.

Opportunities to Elevate Bilateral Ties

• Strategic Partnerships: PM Modi’s visit is seen as an opportunity to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, including cooperation in defense and infrastructure development under Kuwait’s ‘Vision 2035’.
• Investments and Infrastructure Development: Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund can further invest in India through agreements with the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), and India can assist in building infrastructure in Kuwait, including setting up higher educational institutions and hospitals.
• Enhanced Cooperation in Emerging Sectors: The visit opens avenues for further cooperation in space programs, including satellite launches for Kuwait, and cooperation on climate action initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and disaster-resilient infrastructure.

Practice Question:

Q. Analyze the strategic importance of Kuwait in India’s foreign policy framework, particularly in the context of energy security, economic cooperation, and regional stability. How can India further elevate its bilateral ties with Kuwait?