Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his first official visit to Kuwait, strengthening bilateral ties by upgrading the relationship to a “Strategic Partnership.” The landmark visit aimed to bolster cooperation in trade, defence, energy, and cultural ties.

PM Modi, who attended the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup as the Guest of Honour, was invited by His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait. During the visit, the Amir conferred on Modi Kuwait’s highest civilian honour, The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer.

At Bayan Palace, Modi held discussions with Kuwait’s top leadership, including the Amir, Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Sabah. Key agreements were signed to expand cooperation in defence, culture, and sports while addressing regional and global challenges such as counter-terrorism and UN reforms.

Defence, Energy, and Trade Agreements An MoU in defence was signed to facilitate joint military exercises, training, and defence technology development. Energy cooperation took center stage as the nations agreed to move beyond the buyer-seller dynamic, exploring collaborations in oil, gas, and renewable energy. Kuwait also expressed interest in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve Programme.

On the trade front, both sides committed to expediting negotiations on the Bilateral Investment Treaty. India welcomed Kuwait’s interest in investing in infrastructure and food parks, while both nations pledged to diversify trade beyond hydrocarbons. Regular high-level meetings will sustain the momentum of this partnership.

Cultural and Labour Mobility Agreements Recognizing the role of the 1 million-strong Indian community in Kuwait, agreements were signed for a Cultural Exchange Programme (2025-2029) and a sports cooperation programme. Both nations emphasized enhancing labour mobility and cultural linkages.

Strengthening India-GCC Ties As the current Chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Kuwait pledged support for India’s engagement with the bloc. Talks included expediting the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement to boost regional trade.

The visit marks a milestone in India-Kuwait relations, setting the stage for deeper cooperation across multiple sectors. PM Modi invited Kuwait’s leadership for a reciprocal visit, expressing optimism for a stronger partnership in the coming years.