National Council for Culture, Arts &Literature (NCCAL), along with the India Embassy to Kuwait and Kuwait Heritage Society hosted an exhibition cum talk series ‘Rihala-e-dosti’, marking 250 years of India-Kuwait relations, at the Kuwait National Library.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Secretary General of Kuwait National Center for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) Mohammad Al-Jassar, in presence of Mr Fahad AbdulJaleel, President of Kuwait Heritage Society, Indian Ambassador Dr Adarsh Swaika, and other invited dignitaries. the "Relations with India have been a unique exemplary of deep-rooted understanding and cultural exchange," Mohammad Al-Jassar said while inaugurating the exhibition. He stressed the role of culture and arts in boosting relations among peoples.
In 1775, Kuwait's ship arrived, for the first time, at India's ports, and Kuwaitis after that established a wide trade transport network between the West and the East, turning Kuwait to a vital trade route, thanks to growing economic ties, he stated. Many Kuwaiti families stayed near India ports and worked in exporting multiple vital commodities to the Arabian Gulf ports like food and wood, he elaborated.
A panel discussion, held on the side line of the exhibition, featured prominent merchant families with deep historical ties to India — Mr. Ibrahim Abdullatif Al-Ibrahim, Mr. Suliman Abdulmohsen Al-Khames and Mr. Abdullatif Abdulrazzaq — shared the stories of their families' India connections from the 19th & early 20th centuries.
The Exhibition showcases rare artefacts, manuscripts, Indian currency, books, stamps and photos of various Indian and Kuwaiti leaders.