Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Kuwait, where he met Abdullah Baronthe, the Arabic translator of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and publisher Abdullateef Alnesef in Kuwait City.
Alnesef described the meeting as an honour, emphasizing the significance of the translated works. During the visit, Modi also met 101-year-old former Indian Foreign Service officer Mangal Sain Handa.
This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years. As part of his itinerary, Modi will address the Indian diaspora at the ‘Hala Modi’ event at Sheikh Saad Al Abdullah Sports Complex and visit a labour camp housing Indian blue-collar workers.
Indians make up 21% (around 1 million) of Kuwait’s population and 30% of its workforce, with many employed in private and domestic sectors.
According to the Indian Embassy, bilateral trade reached USD 10.47 billion in 2023-24, making Kuwait India’s sixth-largest crude oil supplier, fulfilling 3% of its energy needs. Indian exports to Kuwait have crossed USD 2 billion, while investments from the Kuwait Investment Authority in India have surpassed USD 10 billion.
India and Kuwait share historical ties dating back to pre-oil Kuwait, with maritime trade forming the foundation of their relationship. Goods like dates, pearls, and Arabian horses were traded for wood, spices, and cereals.
Notably, the Indian Rupee was legal tender in Kuwait until 1961. Formal diplomatic relations were established the same year, with India initially represented by a trade commissioner.
