India and Kuwait enjoy traditionally friendly relations, which are rooted in history and have stood the test of time
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will pay an official visit to Kuwait on August 18, 2024 as part of ongoing high-level exchanges to strengthen bilateral relations. Discussions during the visit are likely to focus on sectors like trade and investment in addition to energy and security issues.
 
During the visit, EAM Jaishankar will meet Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya. He is also expected to call on the leadership of the State of Kuwait.
 
EAM Jaishankar’s visit will enable both sides to review various aspects of our bilateral relations including political, trade, investment, energy, security, cultural, consular and people-to-people contacts as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said as it announced the visit on Wednesday (August 15, 2024).

India and Kuwait enjoy traditionally friendly relations, which are rooted in history and have stood the test of time. India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kuwait following its independence from the British Protectorate in 1961.
 
EAM Jaishankar undertook a three-day visit to Kuwait in June 2021. The visit was significant as 2021-22 marked the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries.
 
In March 2023, a ‘Festival of India’ was held in Kuwait under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, India. A new Culture Exchange Programme (CEP) has also been agreed between both sides.

Earlier this year, undertaking a comprehensive review of their bilateral relationship at the 6th round of India-Kuwait Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held on July 24, 2024, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas like trade and investment in addition to health and education. 
 
India has consistently been among the top trading partners of Kuwait. The total bilateral trade with Kuwait during FY 2023-24 was USD 10.47 billion. According to official data, Indian exports have increased from USD 1.56 billion in 2022-23 to USD 2.1 billion in 2023-24.
 
The Indian community with a strength of approximately 1 million is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait, both in terms of number of Indian citizens and also workforce-wise. Labour and Manpower issues form an important part of bilateral relations.

The Indian business community in Kuwait has carved a niche in the Kuwaiti market in retail as well as distributorship. Many of the business houses have been present in Kuwait for two to three generations.