Fruitful Relation Between India and Kuwait

Samiah, 8-A, Kuwait Indian School

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

There has been symbiotic relationship between countriesin which both benefit from being connected to each other. Such example is of the relationship of India and Kuwait. The two countries sharefriendly ties.

Kuwait houses a large expatriate Indian population, which is approximately 9,64,000. India also imports oil and petroleum from Kuwait. India is among the largest trade partners of Kuwait. Even pearls used to be transported in the 1950’s when Kuwait depended on the marine. Kuwait’s Ministry of Health also employs a significant number of Indianmedics and paramedics. Kuwait is the home to 300 Indian associations and 18 Indian schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education,New Delhi. Since 1962, India and Kuwait have had diplomatic ties, with the appointment of the first Kuwait Ambassador to India, Yacoub Abdulaziz al-Rasheed. Until 1961, Indian rupee was the currency used in Kuwait. When Kuwait became fully independent, India was one of the first countries to recognise it. When India was fighting China in 1962, Kuwait was one of the first countries to lend Indian its support.

India and Kuwait have signed several agreements relating to scientific and technological cooperation including medical cooperation and in the areas of culture and education. Indians in Kuwait have contributed their supported and worked hard and persistently on many important projects. Indians have been described as the Emir’s special envoy as having acquired a special space in Kuwait as “a brilliant and the least problematic expatriate community which works for the overall development of Kuwait.” In addition to oil and petrol, India also imports and steel products, boilers, machinery and mechancial appliances, electrical machinery and equipment and food items from Kuwait.

I feel myself lucky to have the opportunity to contribute my opinion on India and Kuwait’s relation. May this wonderful relationship keep extending in the upcoming years and I wish you all a happy National and Liberation Day!

Samiah, 8-A, Kuwait Indian School

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