• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Kuwait from December 21.

• This will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years.

• Modi is paying the visit at the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

• The PM's visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the "multifaceted" ties between India and Kuwait.

• The last Indian PM to visit Kuwait was Indira Gandhi in 1981.

• The last high-level visit from either side was that of the PM of Kuwait to India in 2013. 

India-Kuwait Relations

• India and Kuwait have enjoyed traditionally friendly relations, with links dating back to pre-oil Kuwait when maritime trade with India was the backbone of its economy.

• India has been a natural trading partner of Kuwait and until 1961, Indian Rupee was a legal tender in Kuwait. 

• Till the discovery and development of oil, Kuwaitʼs economy revolved around its fine harbour and maritime activities which included ship building, pearl diving, fishing and voyages to India on wooden dhows carrying dates, Arabian horses and pearls that were traded for wood, cereals, clothes and spices.

• India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kuwait following its independence from British Protectorate in 1961.

• Prior to establishment of diplomatic relations, India was represented by a Trade Commissioner. 

• Over 20 bilateral agreements/MoUs have been signed between both sides in various domains. Around 14 agreements/MoUs are at different stages of finalisation. The MoU on defence cooperation have been finalised for signing at an appropriate occasion.

• India-Kuwait 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 $10.47 billion. 

• Top five export items from India are aircraft parts, cereals, organic chemicals, vehicles and  electric machinery. 

• During FY 2023-24, Kuwait was the sixth largest crude supplier with about 3 per cent of Indiaʼs total energy needs.

• The Indian community with a strength of over one million is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait.

• There are 26 schools in Kuwait following CBSE curriculum with over 60,000 students, mainly Indians and some Arab and South Asian expats as well.

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