India – Kuwait Relationship

Melisa Johnson, VIII-A, Indian Community School Kuwait-Khaitan

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

India and Kuwait are keeping long time traditional friendly relation. There were numerous historical trade links exist between the countries. India is a natural trading partner of Kuwait. Up to 1961, Indian rupee was widely accepted in Kuwait market.

The country leaders and VVIP’s visiting each other frequently. India is top 10 trading partners of Kuwait. India’s exports to Kuwait include food items, textiles, machineries, vehicles, chemicals, jewellery, and metal products. Many Indian companies are established and running its business in Kuwait. Meanwhile, Kuwait is supplying crude and LPG to India. Also, there are co-operation ties in the fields of civil aviation, scientific research, medical, educational and cultural fields.

There are more Indians living in Kuwait than Kuwaitis. In 2021, as per the Ministry of External Affairs report, there are 10.3 lakhs Indians staying in Kuwait. Indian expatriates make around 22% of Kuwait’s population. Indians are described by the Emir’s envoy as “a brilliant and the least problematic expatriate community which works for the growth and development of Kuwait”. There are about 18 Indian schools functioning in Kuwait.

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait conducts open houses to further extend the relationships. During the pandemic, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait exerted tireless effort to simplify the issues of Indian diaspora, particularly the Indian students, the Indian nurses, and domestic workers. The NEET exam which was conducted last year was another great stepping stone for India – Kuwait relationship.

This warm relationship didn’t start today or yesterday. Kuwait authorities always appreciated the contributions and efforts of Indians for the development of this country. It is worthy to note that Kuwait provided oxygen for Indian hospitals during the pandemic.

Thus, all the prevailing governments of India and Kuwait was always trying to keep this relationship warm and sweet for mutual benefit.

Melisa Johnson, VIII-A, Indian Community School Kuwait-Khaitan

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