NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday pitched for India’s assistance in the field of skill development, innovation and FinTech to aid the Gulf nation’s vision of a “New Kuwait”. The Prime Minister made the offer while addressing a large gathering of the Indian community in Kuwait at a special event titled “Hala Modi” at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex in the city and thanked Kuwait and its royal family for the regard it has shown for India and the Indian community.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to hold talks with Kuwait’s leadership, including the Emir (ruler) Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince, as well as the Prime Minister of Kuwait on Sunday. Important pacts between the two nations are expected to be announced.
The two nations intend to strengthen their trade, defence and energy partnership. Connectivity ties between the two nations are also expected to receive a boost from the proposed India-Middle-East-Europe (IMEC) corridor. Both nations are also in talks to finalise both a bilateral investment treaty and an MoU on defence cooperation.
At the Hala Modi event, Mr Modi said, "While people of Kuwait are dedicated to building 'New Kuwait,' people of India are striving to create developed India by 2047. India's StartUps, from FinTech, smart technology to green technology, can develop cutting-edge solutions for Kuwait's needs. In the coming decades, India and Kuwait will also become significant partners in prosperity."
The Prime Minister, who is visiting Kuwait at the invitation of the Kuwaiti Emir, expressed happiness about the presence of Indians from diverse corners of the country in the Gulf nation and called it a “mini-Hindustan.”
This visit marks the first time in 43 years that an Indian Prime Minister has visited Kuwait. Mr Modi highlighted the strong energy partnership between the two nations.
During the event, Mr Modi also praised the achievements of the Indian community in Kuwait, including engineers, architects, doctors, nurses, teachers, and construction workers who contribute significantly to the country's infrastructure. He credited their hard work and skill for India’s global leadership in remittances and invited the community to participate in India’s vision of becoming a “Viksit Bharat” (developed India). He emphasised the opportunities for collaboration between India and Kuwait, particularly in innovation and skill development.
In its statement, New Delhi said, “Reflecting on the shared aspirations of the two countries, of Viksit Bharat and New Kuwait, the Prime Minister underlined that there are huge opportunities for India and Kuwait to work together. India’s skill capacities and innovation could foster new partnerships between the two countries”.
The Prime Minister said that India has the potential to become the “skill capital of the world.”
“India is well-equipped to meet the world's demand for skilled talent… India also has the potential to become the skill capital of the world,” Mr Modi emphasised and underlined that for many decades to come, India will remain the youngest country in the world.
India's StartUps, FinTech, smart technology and green technology can develop cutting-edge solutions for every need of Kuwait, he said.
Mr Modi landed in the Gulf nation on Saturday to a cordial welcome by the host nation, including members of the Indian community there. His first stop was a visit to a labour camp in Mina Abdullah, home to around 1,500 Indian workers, where he interacted with workers from various Indian states and enquired about their well-being.
The visit to the labour camp underscored the importance Mr Modi places on the welfare of Indian workers abroad. In the last few years, the government has undertaken several technology-based initiatives such as the E-Migrate portal, the MADAD portal and upgraded the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana for the welfare of Indian workers abroad.
Thanking the Emir of Kuwait for his gracious invitation, Mr Modi stated that it was after 43 years that an Indian Prime Minister is visiting Kuwait to strengthen and solidify the age-old friendship.
“The relationship between India and Kuwait is one of civilisation, the sea, affection, trade, and commerce. India and Kuwait are located on two shores of the Arabian Sea. It's not just diplomacy that connects us, but also the bonds of the heart,” the Prime Minister said to a loud cheer from the gathering.
“Today, personally, this moment is very special for me. For you all, coming to India takes four hours, but for the Prime Minister of India, it took four decades,” he told the Indian gathering.
Reflecting on the strong cooperation between the two nations during challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Modi recalled how Kuwait had sent liquid oxygen to India, calling the gesture "brotherly". He also highlighted India's contributions, including sending vaccines and medical equipment to Kuwait. He quoted Kuwait's Crown Prince, who had said, "When you are in need, India is your destination."
Mr Modi also mentioned the long history of trade between the two nations, noting how Kuwaiti merchants had long traded at ports in Gujarat.
“Our elders in Gujarat still recall how Kuwaiti traders learnt Gujarati, wrote books in it and traded their world-famous pearls in our markets. We took supplies of horses and many other items. There has been a long-lasting relationship between India and Kuwait,” he said and reminded the diaspora that till about 60-65 years ago, Indian rupees were accepted in Kuwait.
The Prime Minister extended an invitation to diaspora members to participate in Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and Maha Kumbh to be held in India in January 2025.
In other notable aspects of the visit, Mr Modi met 101-year-old Mangal Sain Handa, a retired Indian diplomat based in Kuwait, on the request of his granddaughter Shreya Juneja. “Delighted to have met Mangal Sain Handa Ji in Kuwait this afternoon. I admire his contribution to India and his passion for India’s development,” Mr Modi posted on social media platform X.
Mr Modi also met two Kuwaiti nationals who translated and published Arabic versions of the Indian epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata and signed copies of these works.
Ahead of his departure for Kuwait, Mr Modi expressed his gratitude to the Kuwaiti leadership for inviting him to the Gulf Cup inauguration, a premier sporting event in the region. He expressed confidence that this visit will further strengthen the special ties and bonds of friendship between India and Kuwait, benefiting both nations and the broader region.
