Kuwait and India yesterday agreed to strengthen cooperation and partnerships in various fields following the Third Meeting of India–Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation (JMC), which was held in Kuwait rom 18–20 September 2017. The agreements, seeking to strengthen bilateral cooperation, covered various sectors such as investment, science and technology, education, labor, culture, and oil and gas.
Shri M.J. Akbar, Minister of State for External Affairs (MOS) led an Indian delegation for the Third Meeting of India–Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation (JMC) in Kuwait from 18–20 September 2017. Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh and Indian Minister Shri M.J. Akbar chaired the 3rd JMC Meeting.
The relations between India and Kuwait are marked by regular high-level visits which have provided momentum in further strengthening our mutually beneficial ties that covers a wide range of political, commercial, energy and diaspora related issues.
Both sides took note of the fact that Kuwait is the seventh largest crude supplier and an important trading partner of India with a total bilateral trade of US$ 5.95 billion in 2016-2017. Indian side expressed satisfaction that several Indian companies have been awarded EPC contracts worth more than US$ 5 billion in Kuwait.
Kuwaiti side appreciated that over 9 lakh Indian expatriates have been contributing to the development of their host country. Indian side thanked Kuwaiti side for the humanitarian approach taken for early resolution of the problem faced by distressed Indian workers in Kharafi National and other Kuwaiti companies.
During the visit, the entire gamut of bilateral relations was positively discussed and a vision for future cooperation was set with aim of promoting friendship, cooperation and partnership between the two countries.
During the visit, Shri M.J. Akbar held separate meetings with Her Excellency Ms. Hind Al-Sabeeh, the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour & Minister of State for Economic Affairs and His Excellency Mr. Khaled Al-Jarallah, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. MOS also held interaction with Indian community in Kuwait.