Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a significant bilateral meeting with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, in New York on Sunday. This meeting marks a continued effort by PM Narendra Modi to bolster diplomatic relations with key partners during his three-day visit to the United States. Prior to this engagement, PM Narendra Modi also met with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who described their discussion as “very good,” indicating a positive trajectory in Nepal-India relations as well.
The meeting with the Kuwaiti Crown Prince comes shortly after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s discussions with Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, which focused on enhancing India-Kuwait bilateral relations. Historically, India and Kuwait have enjoyed strong ties rooted in trade and diplomacy. Notably, India was among the first nations to establish diplomatic relations with Kuwait after its independence from the British Protectorate in 1961, and until that year, the Indian Rupee served as legal tender in Kuwait.
The year 2021-22 marked a significant milestone, celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. India’s trade with Kuwait has been on the rise, with exports reaching approximately USD 2.10 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24, reflecting the deepening economic ties and mutual interests shared by both nations.
During his visit to New York, PM Narendra Modi participated in the Quad Summit, engaging with leaders from the United States, Australia, and Japan. The Quad has become an essential platform for like-minded countries to collaborate on issues pertaining to peace, progress, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. In his discussions with US President Joe Biden, PM Narendra Modi reviewed and identified new avenues to further enhance the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, aiming to create a more vibrant bilateral relationship.
Additionally, PM Narendra Modi interacted with prominent American business leaders, emphasizing their crucial role as stakeholders in fostering the unique partnership between the world’s largest and oldest democracies. As part of his visit, PM Narendra Modi is also set to address the Summit of the Future at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he is expected to highlight India’s vision for global cooperation and progress.
This series of high-level meetings and engagements underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its international partnerships, with an eye on both regional stability and economic growth.
