PM Modi Kuwait Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kuwait on Saturday on a two-day visit. This is the first visit of an Indian PM to Kuwait after 43 years. Before PM Modi, Indira Gandhi had visited Kuwait in 1981 while being the Prime Minister. Modi was given a red carpet welcome at the airport. Addressing the NRIs, Modi said that after 43 years a PM of India has come to Kuwait. If you have to come from India, it takes 4 hours, but it took 4 decades for the Prime Minister. Modi said that people in Kuwait have the facility to celebrate every festival. But I have come to celebrate for you.
Table of Contents
Earlier, people of Indian origin performed Kathakali dance for Prime Minister Modi. After this, PM reached Kuwait City. Where he met Abdul Latif Alnesif, publisher of Ramayana and Mahabharata books written and published in Arabic language, and translator Abdullah Baron. They presented Mahabharata and Ramayana written in Arabic language as a gift to PM Modi.
After this, Modi visited Kuwait’s Spic Labor Camp and met Indian workers. In fact, on June 12 this year, a fire broke out in a labor camp in Kuwait, in which 50 people were burnt to death. 45 of them were Indians.
PM Modi Kuwait Visit: Key points of PM’s address
1. Indians added a tadka of Indianness to Kuwait
Modi said that many of you have been living in Kuwait for generations. Many of you were born here. Every year the number of Indians living here is increasing. You have added the flavour of Indianness to Kuwaiti society. You have mixed the masala of India’s talent, technology and tradition in Kuwait. I have come here to celebrate the achievements of all of you.
2. Not only the present but also the past connects India and Kuwait
Modi said that today India is at the forefront in terms of remittances, so a big credit for this goes to all of you hardworking colleagues. The countrymen also respect your contribution. The relationship between India and Kuwait is of civilizations and trade. India-Kuwait are situated on two banks of the Arabian Sea. We have been connected not only by diplomacy but also by hearts. We have been connected not only by the present but also by the past.
3. Trade between us has been going on since the 19th century
There was a time when pearls and good breed horses used to go to India from Kuwait. Spices, clothes, wood used to come to Kuwait from India. Pearls from Kuwait are no less than diamonds for India. Today Indian jewellery is famous all over the world and Kuwait’s pearls have contributed to this.
In Gujarat, we have been hearing from our elders how traders from Kuwait used to come to India. In the 19th century itself, traders from here started going to Surat. Surat was then the international market for Kuwaiti pearls. Kuwaiti traders have also published many books in the Gujarati language. After Gujarat, Kuwaiti traders made a name for themselves in Mumbai and other places.
4. The relationship between culture and commerce is reaching new heights
PM Modi said that many businessmen from Kuwait have opened offices in many places in India for import-export. 60-65 years ago, Indian Rupees were used in Kuwait just like they are used in India. That is, Indian Rupees were also accepted when buying from any shop here. At that time, Kuwaiti people knew Indian currencies like Rupee, Paisa, Aana.
It is very memorable for me to visit a country and a society with which so many memories are associated, with which our present is connected. I am grateful to the people of Kuwait and its government. I thank the Emir of Kuwait for his invitation. The relationship that culture and commerce had built in the past is today moving towards new heights in the new century.
5. India has the technology and manpower to build New Kuwait
PM Modi said that the tradition of being together in every happiness is the foundation of our mutual relationship and mutual trust. Our objectives are not very different. Just like the people of Kuwait are engaged in building New Kuwait, the people of India are engaged in building India 2047. India today is emphasizing on innovation. It is engaged in strengthening the economy.
India’s skilled youth can give new strength to Kuwait. India is going to remain the youngest country in the world for the next several decades. In such a situation, India has the capability to meet the skill demand of the world. For this, India is developing the skills of its youth. India has signed agreements with two dozen countries for this.
6. Indians, wherever they are, are happy with the success of their country
Modi said that all of you have come from India and have lived here but you have kept Indianness in your hearts. Which Indian would not be proud of the success of Mangalyaan, who would not have felt happy about Chandrayaan’s landing on the moon… Today’s India is moving ahead with a new mood.
India is the 5th largest economy in the world. Today, the world’s number one fintech ecosystem is in India, the third startup ecosystem is in India. The second largest mobile manufacturer is India. The length of the optical fiber laid by India in the last 10 years is 8 times more than the distance between the earth and the moon.
7. India will soon be the world’s growth hub
PM said that India is one of the most digitally connected countries in the world. From small towns to villages, every Indian is using digital technology. In India, it is no longer a luxury but has become a part of the daily needs of the common man. People use digital methods to drink tea, order ration, buy fruits. Delivery is done in a very short time and payment is also done.
There is Digi Locker for documents, Digi Yatra for airports, Fastag to save time while travelling. India is constantly becoming digitally smart. This is just the beginning. India is going to move towards such innovations that will show direction to the world. It will be the hub of the world’s development. India will be the world’s green energy hub, pharma hub, electronic hub. The world’s biggest economy centres will be in India.
8. India is teaching the world a healthy lifestyle
The PM said that we consider the whole world as one family. India is moving ahead as a Vishwabandhu with the thought of the welfare of the world. The world is also respecting this sentiment of India. Today the world is celebrating its first World Meditation Day. This is dedicated to the thousands of years old tradition of India.
Since 2015, the world is celebrating Yoga Day on 21st June. This is also dedicated to the yoga tradition of India. Today India’s yoga is connecting every region of the world. Today India’s traditional medicine Ayurveda is enriching global wellness. Superfood millets are becoming the basis of healthy lifestyle.
The knowledge system from Nalanda to IIT is becoming the basis of the global system. India Middle East Corridor was announced during the G20 Summit last year. This is going to give a new direction to the world.
9. Come to Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, also participate in Maha Kumbh
PM invited the NRIs to visit India. He said that the first month of the new year, January 2025, is going to be a month of many national festivals this time. This year, from today to 10 January, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be organized in Bhubaneswar. People from all over the world will attend it. I invite all of you for this.
Maha Kumbh is going to be organized in Prayagraj. It will run from 13 January to 26 February. You should come to India to participate in it and bring your Kuwaiti friends too.
Footage of PM Modi Kuwait visit
After reaching Kuwait, PM Modi posted on X
Congress taunts PM on his visit- go to Manipur too
The Congress party has targeted the PM’s visit to Kuwait. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that Prime Minister Modi, who is constantly touring, is going to Kuwait instead of Manipur. Violence has been going on in Manipur for the last one year. Jairam Ramesh further said-
Prime Minister Modi is not able to fix any date for his visit to Manipur. People there are waiting for the PM but he is going to Kuwait.
In fact, after the Manipur violence, whenever the Prime Minister goes on a foreign tour, the Congress reminds him to visit Manipur. Recently, when Prime Minister Modi was on a visit to three countries Brazil, Nigeria and Guyana in November, the Congress had also questioned PM Modi about going to Manipur.
Preparations to influence Gulf countries through Kuwait
The Ministry of External Affairs has described the PM’s visit to Kuwait as an important step in improving relations with the Gulf countries. The Ministry said-
India and Kuwait have traditionally deep ties, rooted in history. These are based on strong people-to-people ties. India is one of Kuwait’s top trading partners. This will further strengthen the multifaceted India-Kuwait relationship.
Kuwait is chairing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It also includes the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. Kuwait is the only Gulf country where Modi has not visited even once since becoming the Prime Minister. Gulf countries are major partners for India on the basis of energy, investment and trade.
Also Read:
Syria Crisis 2024: Why Syria Matters to America and Russia? Will It Break Into Five Parts?
