India, Sept. 15: The longstanding relationship between Kuwait and India has evolved significantly in recent years, with stronger political engagement, expanding trade, rising investments and cooperation across a growing number of sectors.
The relationship reached a new milestone when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait on December 21-22, 2024, resulted in the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. The development marked a shift from a traditional energy-focused relationship towards a broader engagement encompassing defence, trade, investment, technology, security and people-to-people relations.
The year 2026 holds particular significance for both countries as it marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kuwait and India. The occasion also coincides with Kuwait’s 65th National Day celebrations and the first anniversary of the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.
Strengthening Political Engagement
Political relations have been reinforced through high-level exchanges and greater institutional cooperation. The two countries have expanded their engagement in areas including defence, energy, technology, healthcare, food security and culture.
Prime Minister Modi’s December 2024 visit was particularly significant as it was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years. The last Indian Prime Minister to visit the country before Modi was Indira Gandhi in 1981.
At the ministerial level, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya visited India on December 3-4, 2024, while External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Kuwait on August 18, 2024.
Following the escalation of tensions in West Asia in February 2026, the two countries maintained close communication through telephone conversations. Prime Minister Modi spoke with Kuwait’s Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, on June 9, 2026, expressing concern over the regional situation and reaffirming India’s condemnation of attacks on Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Kuwaiti and Indian foreign ministers have also remained in contact over developments in West Asia, underscoring the importance both sides attach to regional stability and security.
Cooperation During COVID-19
The partnership was also strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic through extensive humanitarian and medical cooperation.
Kuwait established an air and sea bridge to deliver medical assistance to India, supplying 425 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen along with around 11,440 oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, ventilators and other medical equipment.
India, in turn, sent a 15-member medical team and approximately two tonnes of medical supplies to Kuwait. In February 2021, India also supplied Kuwait with 200,000 doses of Covishield vaccines.
Expanding Institutional Framework
The bilateral relationship is supported by around 40 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding covering political, economic, security, labour and cultural cooperation.
During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Kuwait, the two countries signed an agreement on defence cooperation, a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2025-2029 and an Executive Programme for Sports Cooperation for 2025-2028.
Kuwait also signed the International Solar Alliance Treaty in December 2024 and ratified it in May 2025.
In July 2025, the Financial Intelligence Units of the two countries signed an MoU aimed at strengthening cooperation against money laundering and terrorist financing. A civil aviation agreement signed on July 15, 2025, increased the weekly seat quota between the two countries from 12,000 to 18,000 for each side.
The Joint Commission for Cooperation, established at the level of foreign ministers, has further strengthened the institutional mechanism for bilateral engagement. Seven new Joint Working Groups have been established covering trade and investment, education and skill development, science and technology, security and counter-terrorism, agriculture and food security, and culture. These complement existing working groups on health, manpower and hydrocarbons.
Seven rounds of Foreign Office Consultations have also been held since 2012, with the latest taking place in 2025.
Trade and Energy Cooperation
Economic relations remain a major pillar of the partnership. Bilateral trade reached $10.22 billion during the 2024-25 financial year, keeping India among Kuwait’s leading trading partners.
Kuwait continues to play an important role in meeting India’s energy requirements. During the same period, it was India’s sixth-largest crude oil supplier and fifth-largest supplier of liquefied petroleum gas, together accounting for around 3.5 per cent of India’s total energy needs.
Both countries are now seeking to diversify economic cooperation beyond traditional energy trade. During the Prime Minister’s visit, discussions focused on greater collaboration in oil and gas exploration and production, refining, engineering services, petrochemicals, and renewable and new energy.
The two sides also discussed the possible participation of Kuwait in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve programme.
Rising Investment Opportunities
Investment ties have also gained momentum. Cumulative foreign direct investment from Kuwait into India stood at around $11 billion as of December 2025.
Kuwait has introduced an investment promotion strategy aimed at attracting greater Indian participation in sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, tourism, healthcare and energy.
There is also scope to increase the use of local currencies, including the Kuwaiti dinar and Indian rupee, for trade, remittances and investment. Such arrangements could benefit the more than one million Indians residing in Kuwait as well as travellers and businesses operating between the two countries.
Looking Ahead
The two countries have considerable potential to expand cooperation in renewable energy, healthcare, technology, education, food security and cybersecurity. Greater private-sector participation and improved investment facilitation could further strengthen economic engagement.
The conclusion of free trade negotiations between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council could provide additional opportunities to increase bilateral trade and investment and deepen economic integration.
The growing engagement demonstrates how the Kuwait-India relationship is moving beyond its traditional foundations towards a diversified partnership based on shared economic interests, strategic cooperation and stronger institutional links.
Both countries are expected to continue exploring new avenues of collaboration while leveraging their respective strengths to promote sustainable development, economic growth and greater prosperity.
The author is the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to India. The views expressed are personal.