The Prime Minister of India’s First Official Visit to Kuwait to Deepen Bilateral Ties | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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    The Prime Minister of India’s First Official Visit to Kuwait to Deepen Bilateral Ties

    Posted 23 Dec 2024

    2 min read

    During the visit the PM of India conferred the highest award of the State of Kuwait ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’.

    Key Outcomes of the visit

    • Strategic Partnership: India-Kuwait elevated relations to a strategic partnership.
    • International Solar Alliance (ISA): India welcomed Kuwait’s decision to join ISA for sustainable energy cooperation.
    • Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD): Highlighted the significance of ACD in regional cooperation.
      • ACD was inaugurated in 2001 aimed at capitalizing on Asia’s collective strengths. It comprises 35 countries (India is a founding member).
    • India-GCC cooperation: Kuwait, which currently holds the Presidency of GCC, has promised to support stronger ties between India and GCC member states.
    • Other Developments: Renewed Cultural Exchange Program (2025–2029), fostering arts, literature, etc; India praised Kuwait's hosting of the 4th Dushanbe Process phase on combating terrorism and strengthening border security

    India- Kuwait Relations

    • Trade relations: Total bilateral trade with Kuwait during FY 2023-24 was US$ 10.47 billion. (India is trade deficit).
    • Energy security: During FY 2023-24, Kuwait was the 9th largest oil supplier with about 3.0 % of India’s total energy needs.
    • Diaspora: Indians are the largest expatriate community in Kuwait (~1 million), both in terms of number of Indian citizens and also workforce-wise.

    About Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

    • The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (also called GCC) was set up in 1981.
    • Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
    • It is a regional organisation comprising 6 members: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. 
    • Objectives: To enhance coordination, integration and inter-connection among its members.
    • Energy Security: GCC contributes to 35% of India’s oil imports and 70% of gas imports. 
    • Tags :
    • International Solar Alliance (ISA)
    • Strategic Partnership
    • India-Kuwait
    • Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD)
    • Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
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