Kuwait's Foreign Minister, H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, visited India on December 3-4, 2024, at the invitation of External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar. This marked his first official visit to India as Kuwait’s Foreign Minister.

During a delegation-level meeting held in New Delhi, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya called India a "very important partner" and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as one of the wisest individuals in the world. "I would like to thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Modi, who we believe is one of the wisest persons worldwide," he said. He further added that Kuwait values its strong partnership with India and is committed to strengthening bilateral relations.

The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister arrived in India late on December 3. On the afternoon of December 4, he met Prime Minister Modi at the Prime Minister's residence, Lok Kalyan Marg, before holding discussions with EAM Jaishankar at Hyderabad House.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to Kuwait for its welfare initiatives supporting the Indian community living in the Gulf nation. Following the meeting, the Prime Minister shared on X, "Glad to receive Foreign Minister of Kuwait Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. I thank the Kuwaiti leadership for the welfare of Indian nationals. India is committed to advancing our deep-rooted and historical ties for the benefit of our people and the region."

Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
On December 4, EAM Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Al-Yahya held extensive bilateral talks in New Delhi. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including political ties, trade, investment, energy, food security, and people-to-people connections. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared interest.

The two Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) at the level of Foreign Ministers. Under this framework, new Joint Working Groups will be set up in areas such as trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security, and culture. These will complement existing collaborations in hydrocarbons, health, and consular matters. The JCC mechanism is designed to comprehensively review and enhance bilateral relations.

A Historic Partnership
India and Kuwait share a longstanding friendship rooted in history and mutual respect. Regular high-level exchanges underscore the importance both nations place on their partnership. The Indian community in Kuwait, which exceeds one million, plays a vital role in fostering strong cultural and economic ties between the two nations.

This visit by Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya is seen as a significant step in further strengthening the multifaceted relationship between India and Kuwait, ensuring that the bond between the two countries continues to grow.