Latest news with #India-Kuwait
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Pak Misused IMF, US Aid': Indian Delegation Exposes Pakistan In Kuwait
/ May 27, 2025, 06:47PM IST An all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda visited Kuwait, meeting the Indian diaspora and civil society in a traditional Diwaniya format. The group also attended 'Rihla-e-Dosti', an exhibition marking 250 years of India-Kuwait friendship. Highlighting India's united stand against terrorism, Panda noted, 'The message we are carrying is getting great resonance.' Kuwait reaffirmed support for India's anti-terror efforts, with discussions on Pakistan's role and FATF scrutiny. The delegation included Baijayant Panda, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Asaduddin Owaisi, Harsh Shringla, Rekha Sharma, Phangnon Konyak, Nishikant Dubey and Satnam Singh Sandhu focusing on deepening India-Kuwait cooperation on security and counter-terrorism.#alldelegationkuwait #baijayantpanda #indiakuwaitrelations #indiandiasporakuwait #rihlaedosti #antiterrorcooperation #fatfpakistan #pakistaniterrorism #indiaforeignpolicy #ghulamnabiazad #asaduddinowaisi #rekhasharma #phangnonkonyak #nishikantdubey #satnamsinghsandhu #harshshringla #diwaniyaformat #kuwaitcivilsociety #indiakuwaitsecurity #toi #toibharat
Kuwait Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait, India celebrate 250 years of friendship
KUWAIT: In an exhibition that bridges centuries of shared history, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait marked 250 years of India-Kuwait friendship, a relationship that began long before either nation took its modern form. Held at the National Library of Kuwait on Monday, the exhibition runs until Friday and features a rich collection of rare documents, trade records, and cultural artifacts. Together, they tell the story of how trade, travel, and mutual respect have long connected the peoples of India and Kuwait. Reviving what he described as the 'glorious past between the two countries,' the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Dr Adarsh Swaika highlighted that this legacy brings with it a responsibility for building a prosperous future too. 'While the older generation remembers these ties, it is now the younger generation's turn to discover it. That's the key focus of the event,' he told Kuwait Times. He added that over the coming days, the embassy expects around 2,000 students to visit the exhibition — a modest yet meaningful effort to raise awareness about this rich history. In his remarks, he shared that the India-Kuwait connection traces back to the late 18th century, when Kuwaiti merchants sailed to Indian port cities with goods like dates, Arabian horses, and pearls. In return, they brought back rice, spices, timber, and textiles — not just for local use in Kuwait but also for trade across the wider Gulf region. The exhibition showcases an array of manuscripts and artifacts that document this exchange, including trade documents from Indian ports, Kuwaiti books on pearls printed in Arabic and Gujarati in Indian presses, and historic currency notes and stamps — many of which remained legal tender in Kuwait until 1961. Dr Mohammad Al-Jassar Fahad Ghazi Al-Abduljil Indian currency notes which remained legal tender in Kuwait for a long time. - Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Prices of products sold by Kuwaiti merchants in India. Rare letters exchanged by people from the two countries - reflecting the social ties. A section of the exhibition also honors the visits and relationships between leaders of both countries over the past seven decades. Notably, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, one of Kuwait's most revered leaders, spent extended periods in India. Ambassador Swaika also highlighted the significance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kuwait in December, describing it as a 'pivotal moment that broke the diplomatic pause in high-level engagements.' He added, 'We now eagerly anticipate a reciprocal visit from Kuwaiti leadership to India — an opportunity to write the next chapter of this extraordinary journey together.' Dr Mohammad Al-Jassar, Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, spoke about the deep-rooted cultural relationship between India and Kuwait, emphasizing that it goes far beyond commerce. 'Our ties with India go beyond just trade, beyond just merchant families who presented today some of their stories,' he said. 'These types of relationships establish or create a soft cultural diplomacy between nations.' He described the exhibition as part of an ongoing cultural dialogue between the National Council and countries with which Kuwait shares strong and enduring ties. Fahad Ghazi Al-Abduljil, President of the Kuwaiti Heritage Society, contributed personal documents to the exhibition, highlighting the longstanding economic ties between the two nations. Believing that documentation is the only means to preserve events and information, they issued this brochure to document this important exhibition, which sheds light on key aspects of this deep and historic relationship. Most of the documents showcased highlight the prices of Indian goods, the names of some Kuwaiti commercial offices at ports in the Indian subcontinent, as well as the significant trade exchange between Kuwait and India at the time. Al-Abduljil also remarked that India's cultural influence remains visible in Kuwait today — from elements in the local cuisine to words embedded in everyday language.
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Kuwait hosts five-day exhibition celebrating 250 years of 'friendship' with India
Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Adarsh Swaika and Director General of Kuwait's National Center for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) Mohammad Al-Jassar inaugurated 5-day exhibition cum talk series, 'Rihla-e-Dosti: 250 Years of India-Kuwait Friendship' on Monday at National Library in Kuwait city. The exhibition showcases rare artefacts, manuscripts, Indian currency, books, stamps, and photos of leaders from India and Kuwait. "At the opening of Rihla-e-Dosti exhibition, Ambassador Adarsh Swaika and DG, NCCAL highlighted the centuries-old rich history of India-Kuwait relations. Fahad AbdulJaleel, President of Kuwait Heritage Society, was the main curator and contributor of the exhibition," Embassy of India, Kuwait posted on X on Tuesday. The exhibition was organised jointly with NCCAL with the support of Kuwait Heritage Society, National Archives of India, External Publicity Division, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India. A booklet showcasing select photos was released during the opening of the exhibition. A panel discussion during the event featured prominent merchant families from Kuwait with deep historical ties to India -- Ibrahim Abdullatif Al-Ibrahim, Suliman Abdulmohsen Al-Khames and Abdullatif Abdulrazza shared stories of their families' India connections from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Addressing the exhibition, DG NCCAL, Mohammad Al-Jassar, said relations with India have been a unique example of deep-rooted understanding and cultural exchange. He stressed the role of culture and arts in boosting relations among people. Appreciating the growing economic ties between the two countries, he highlighted that 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 into a vital trade route. Many Kuwaiti families stayed near Indian ports and worked in exporting multiple vital commodities to the Arabian Gulf ports, like food and wood, he further stated. Meanwhile, Ambassador Adarsh Swaika affirmed that bilateral relations of the two nations are deep-seated and robust, lauding commercial ties that began in the late 18th century when Kuwait's ship carrying dates, houses, and pearls reached Indian ports. The ambassador noted that the event, co-organised by the Indian Embassy to Kuwait and the Kuwait Heritage Society, marks the cemented relations and boosts awareness of the two countries' youth on their common rich history. The exhibition contains documents on trade at India's ports and Kuwait's books about pearls printed in Arabic or local dialects in India, along with other items.
Arab Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
India and Kuwait Celebrate 250 Years of Friendship
KUWAIT CITY, May 15: In a significant cultural milestone, the Embassy of India in Kuwait is set to host an exhibition titled ' Rihla-e-Dosti': 250 Years of India-Kuwait Relationship, commemorating the long-standing friendship and collaboration between the two nations. The event will take place from May 19 to May 24, 2025, at the National Library of Kuwait. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the National Council for Culture, Arts and Literature (NCCAL), the Kuwait Heritage Society, and Indian institutions, including the National Archives of India and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, aims to showcase the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between India and Kuwait. The exhibition will vividly portray bilateral relations, tracing the journey from early trade links to present-day partnerships in politics, culture, and development. Visitors can expect to see a diverse collection of rare manuscripts, personal letters, coins (including the Indian rupee, which was legal tender in Kuwait until 1961), artefacts, books, and photographs that illuminate the shared past. In addition to historical exhibits, the program will also feature cultural performances and panel discussions, offering insights into various aspects of India-Kuwait relations. The exhibition will be open to the public from May 20 to May 24, with free entry. Daily visiting hours are from 9 AM to 2 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM, except on Friday, May 23, when it will be open only from 4 PM to 9 PM. According to the Indian Embassy, 'Rihla-e-Dosti' serves not only as a tribute to a rich shared past but also symbolizes the enduring friendship and mutual respect that continue to shape the future of India-Kuwait relations.
Arab Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait and India can achieve more together
India and Kuwait share a longstanding relationship rooted in historical trade links, cultural affinities, and the presence of a substantial Indian expatriate community in Kuwait. Over the years, this bond has grown stronger through economic cooperation, people-to-people ties, and diplomatic engagements. The recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kuwait in December 2024 marked a significant milestone, setting the stage for a deeper and more strategic partnership between the two nations. Prime Minister Modi's visit to Kuwait was historic, as it was the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years. During the visit, both countries agreed to upgrade their relationship to a 'Strategic Partnership,' a move that reflects their mutual commitment to expanding cooperation across various sectors. This decision paves the way for enhanced collaboration in defense, trade, investment, energy, and cultural exchanges. A major outcome of the visit was the establishment of the Joint Commission on Cooperation (JCC), which will be co-chaired by the Foreign Ministers of both countries. This institutional mechanism is designed to monitor and strengthen the overall bilateral relationship, ensuring regular high-level dialogue and cooperation. Defence cooperation has emerged as a key pillar of India- Kuwait relations. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defense Cooperation was signed, providing a framework for joint military exercises, training of defense personnel, coastal security collaboration, and the development of defense technologies. This agreement underscores the shared commitment to regional stability and maritime security in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean regions. Trade and investment remain a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. In the fiscal year 2023 24, bilateral trade between India and Kuwait reached $10.47 billion, with Indian exports witnessing a 34.7% increase from the previous year. Kuwait continues to be a key energy partner for India, supplying crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), fulfilling approximately 3% of India's total energy requirements. The strong presence of the Indian diaspora in Kuwaixt, which exceeds one million, has played a crucial role in fostering India-Kuwait relations. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi addressed the Indian community at the 'Hala Modi' event, acknowledging their contributions to Kuwait's economic and social development. To further strengthen cultural ties, both countries signed a Cultural Exchange Programme (2025- 2029) and an Executive Programme on Sports Cooperation (2025-2028). These initiatives aim to enhance cultural understanding and promote sports collaborations between the two nations. The elevation of the India-Kuwait relationship to a Strategic Partnership is a promising development, yet there remains significant potential for further collaboration. Building on existing ties, both nations can explore new avenues in technological innovation, education, renewable energy, and cultural exchange. Strengthening cooperation in these areas will not only bolster economic growth but also foster deeper societal connections, paving the way for a more interconnected and prosperous future. Additionally, increased collaboration in healthcare, agriculture, and digital transformation could address shared challenges while creating opportunities for innovation and sustainable development. Moving forward, it is essential for both countries to continue building a resilient partnership that adapts to global changes and benefits both societies for generations to come.
