You usually have to wait for that which is worth waiting for.
Craig Bruce who wrote this line, could not have known that it would one day be so aptly used to refer to the historic first very visit by our dear Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Kuwait.
The wait was indeed a long one. In the first two tenures of the PM, lakhs of us, who reside in Kuwait, did wait for the PM to visit us, even as he visited all other countries of the GCC and won hearts of the Indian diaspora and of the governments and people of those countries.
Even as I write this, the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al Sabah has bestowed on our PM the highest civilian award: ‘The Order of Mubarak the Great’!
This visit is a big deal, and must be seen not in isolation, as a measure to boost just the bilateral ties. There is a strategy India has been weaving with respect to the Gulf, and while bilateral interests with other members of the GCC have been secured and promoted (particularly, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE), strengthening ties with Kuwait was one crucial link of the chain. The bilateral ties between India and Kuwait have been extensive, robust and have a long deep history. However, every relationship needs to be nurtured regularly with a personal touch, practical policies and earnest efforts. There was a lull for several years, following the invasion by Iraq in 1990 and the then failure of the Indian leadership to condemn the action unequivocally.
In the present times, it is very crucial that India maintains warm and strong ties with all the Arab nations of the Middle East. Among many reasons to do so, one crucial reason is to see the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic corridor becoming a reality. Also, with the fall of the Assad regime, many power-equations and security assessments might shift and India needs to proceed pragmatically and give alert responses more than ever before. Kuwait did take the first step, with its Foreign Affairs Minister visiting New Delhi and even describing PM Modi as one of the wisest world leaders. A reciprocal gesture by India was inevitable. It has happened, and hopefully with both sides taking concrete and positive steps, the journey ahead shall be mutually rewarding.
By the time, on December 21st, when our PM landed here in Kuwait, the Indian flag flying majestically on the roads from the airport, the hoardings and the banners (even the online ones): had already filled our hearts with pride, anticipation and excitement.
Not only were there expectations that the trade and energy ties with Kuwait shall be bolstered, but even we, the million-plus residents in Kuwait expected that our PM must come and meet us; listen to our concerns and extend some reassurances to us.
After the initial reception by the glitterati comprising the who’s who of Indians in Kuwait, the PM rushed straight to the Gulf Spic Labor Camp in Mina Abdullah area which has a workforce of around 1500 Indian nationals. This was a heart-warming step which also must have sent strong signals that yes, a large labor force belongs to a country whose PM is concerned about their working conditions and welfare; that their PM sits with them, listens to them and has chai with them too! It is hoped that the standing Indians enjoy in the eyes of the government and people of Kuwait, shall be positively enhanced.
Whether we are indifferent towards our PM or critical or perhaps in awe, but a leader is quintessentially one who inspires confidence and reassurance; who has mass appeal and who can sensibly further our interests through negotiations and diplomacy. PM Narendra Modi’s persona affirms all these parameters.
Even before the PM’s official receptions and engagements began, the 3,000+ crowd began thronging the Sheikh Saad AL-Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex from 12.30 onwards on December 21st, to listen to and to get a glimpse of the honorable Shri Narendra Modi, whose stature in the world is steadily rising.
The polite gestures, cordial attitude and even smiles from the Kuwaiti police and security agencies in and around the venue of the community event at the Saad Abdullah Stadium, was a reiteration that yes, an important leader of the world is here, and it matters… And yes, the security arrangements by the Kuwaiti agencies/forces were very efficient.
Before the address by the PM, the very talented performers from the various regional Associations of Indians in Kuwat, held the audience spellbound with their colorful attires and suave dance steps. A more exuberant mood could not have been laid down. The cultural performances were simply spectacular. However, towards the very end, there was one major faux pass which led to ripples of embarrassment in the audience. At a time, when the PM was about to step in any minute, and the mood was lit with patriotic fervor, a song about paan, a banned substance in Kuwait, was sung. Personally, felt that it was inappropriate at an event about to be graced by the PM of the country…??? In contrast, the renowned Kuwaiti singer Mubarak AL Rashed melodiously sang Saare Jahan se Achcha and the Vande Mataram and enthralled the audience with his renditions.
And then, the moment arrived! Amidst the thunderous chants of Modi! Modi! Modi and Bharat Mata ki Jai, and galloping heart-beats and thousands of Indians awaiting with baited breath to catch a glimpse of the towering personality, who most of us had seen only on screens, the PM emerged, waving at all with a smile. It was a huge moment; a moment for which Indians living in Kuwait had been waiting for, for four decades and more. And, it was not just a visit by any PM; it was a visit by a show-stealer none other than: Narendra Modi!!!
Dignified and majestic was his arrival at the Stadium, and greeted it was with electrifying roars of cheer and zeal. The aura was all splendid, and one as never witnessed before in Kuwait.
‘I have come here to celebrate your achievements’, is what he began with and commended the Indians working in all possible areas: medicine, education, engineering, finance, IT and more, for their dedicated professionalism. He complimented the Indian diaspora, for their contributions and services to Kuwait and for their work-ethics--- a fact which, he said, was praised by the Kuwaiti leadership and community too. “You have filled Kuwait’s canvas with colors of Indian skills, mixed essence of India’s talent, technology and tradition”, said our PM.
His address primarily connected the glorious past of India-Kuwait ties, to the even more can be strong and mutually beneficial ties between India and Kuwait in the years to come. He highlighted that India is rapidly surging forward in areas viz: IT and IT-enabled services, Fin-tech, Pharma, Engineering, Start-Ups, Green Technology, and that our skills in all of these and many more areas could be instrumental in the building of New Kuwait, even as India herself is committed to building a strong and vibrant New India!!!
Though the expectations of some dramatic announcements were not met, all the reminders of the past; all the hopes for the future and all the references to the current and ongoing efforts and endeavors were down-to-earth and relevant. Hopefully, the real concerns and issues faced by Indians here, of all strata and sectors, would have been taken up in closed-door meetings of the PM with his counterparts and other senior officials.
All throughout the speech, the PM received the customary loud and thrilling applauses, and, as the speech concluded, it was a rousing standing ovation that he received from the Indians in Kuwait!
He tried to mingle with as many excited attendees as he could, and left the venue---giving us all hope that he would visit us again and soon!
Meeting the duo of Abdulla AL Baroun and Abdul Lateef AL Nesef, who translated the Ramayana and Mahabharata in Arabic and who published the Arabic versions of the two texts respectively, and being the Guest of Honor at the spectacular inauguration of the Gulf Cup---were just the supplementary desserts!
Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally came to Kuwait and he certainly, conquered hearts!
Beautiful memories were made on December 21-22, 2024!!!