Did you notice how many foreigners or expats inhabit Kuwait? And most of them are Indians. This is indeed amazing, how India and Kuwait have been together for a long time. Indians form one of the largest expatriate communities in Kuwait numbering around 800,000 people app. Well, many of you might not know this but it all started during the 1960’s. India and Kuwait had very good trading between them and imported and exported various products and items. Before the discovery of oil, Kuwait heavily depended on occupations like fishing, pearl diving and ship-building. In the olden days, Indian Rupees were used in Kuwait. Most of India’s oil and petroleum resources also comes from Kuwait. Kuwait’s economy heavily depends on its oil. In 1961, India was one of the earliest countries to lend help to Kuwait to fight against the British for their independence whereas Kuwait was also one of the first countries to extend support to India during the war with China in 1962. The main
trading centre of trade between India and Kuwait was Bombay as it was a centre of businesses.
During the Iraqi invasion in Kuwait in 1991, there was a lot of Indian population in Kuwait. However, the Kuwaiti Government at the time helped the Indians by helping all Indians and other expats evacuate Kuwait secretly to a safe place. We should be really thankful to them for saving the lives of so many Indians while many of them even sacrificed themselves during the war.
There has also been bilateral state visits between India and Kuwait. Indian Vice presidents, Presidents, ministers and Prime ministers have visited Kuwait many times over the years like Indira Gandhi, Hamid Ansari and Dr. Zakir Hussain. Even members from the Royal family of Kuwait have visited India.
There are a lot of Indians in Kuwait for the need of Jobs and employment in various fields like paramedics, engineering, industrial and architecture. Since Kuwait is a developing country, it needs more labour and population and that’s why there are a lot of expats in Kuwait.
Kuwait has also let the CBSE education board to open schools in Kuwait for Indian children. Kuwait has done everything for us and it is our chance to do what we can do to make Kuwait one of the best countries in this world. This can be done by improving our personalities and later on dedicating our success to our nation, Kuwait.
Kuwait is India’s third largest trade partner in the Arab world however India is Kuwait’s second largest export market and its fifth largest source of imports.
India and Kuwait have also signed several agreements relating to scientific and technological cooperation and in the areas of culture and education.
We should all be thankful to Kuwait because it has not only provided employment to Indians but also safe, secured and friendly environment for our families. Kuwaiti culture is almost similar to Indian culture because of the influence of trade and meeting on both countries. We should treat Kuwait just like our motherland; it is basically our second home.
Kuwait has been an incredible place for us similar to our motherland. We, the Indians living in Kuwait should help Kuwait develop as well as our country, India. We all should pay our gratitude to such a wonderful country who is really concerned about the needs of its people as well as the other expats living here.
Happy National Day and Liberation Day, Kuwait! May you always be the prosperous and beautiful country you are. Wishing ourselves (we’re based here after all!) and all Kuwaitis a wonderful National Day & Liberation Day filled with joyful celebrations!