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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.
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
27-04-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Peruvian Foreign Minister to visit Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, April 27: Peruvian Ambassador to Kuwait Carlos Enrique Tomás Jiménez Gil stated that Peru is currently looking into the revision of its foreign policy toward the Gulf states to strengthen bilateral cooperation, expand trade exchange, and stimulate investment. The ambassador indicated that the upcoming diplomatic missions are essential for revitalizing relations with the region and will coincide with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Kuwait this year. In a press conference on the upcoming visit of Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Elmer Chialler to Kuwait, Gil confirmed that Peru intends to intensify its international presence and promote global economic stability through strategic alliances with the Gulf states, acknowledging the increasing significance of this region. He affirmed the importance of relations with Kuwait, citing collaboration in various areas, particularly technical cooperation. 'This cooperation is founded on shared challenges, such as water scarcity and limited arable land,' he revealed. He pointed out that Peru has succeeded in overcoming these challenges, and it has become one of the leading global exporters; hence, it is a reliable partner committed to strengthening relations with Kuwait. He announced that Chialler will arrive in Kuwait on Tuesday, as part of a Gulf tour, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE,) and Saudi Arabia. He said the tour aims to create new opportunities for investment and trade, and strengthen inter-regional ties. On the agreements, he confirmed that Chialler will sign a memorandum of understanding between the National Library of Kuwait and the National Library of Peru, adding that the two sides are discussing other memoranda of understanding. On tourism, he disclosed that the Embassy of Peru issues around 250 visas for Kuwaitis annually. 'Kuwaitis are currently required to obtain a visa to enter Peru, which is usually issued on the same day of applying,' he clarified. He also stressed that the Gulf states have become a main player in the foreign policy of Peru since 2010, following the visit of the former foreign affairs minister to the region that coincided with the ASPA summit in Lima, which signaled the beginning of Peru's openness to the Arab world.
