Mideast: Prime Minister Modi’s Kuwait trip
Anadolu
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kuwait on the twenty-first and second of December. Kuwait is a small country, with a population of just over 4 million, half the size of New York City. Its main industries are oil and international business, two areas in which India needs no help. Kuwait’s military is relatively small, but its position in the Persian Gulf is critical for West Asian security interests. Kuwait is part of the influential Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Moreover, there is a massive Indian population in Kuwait.
So, what was the purpose of the visit? Indira Gandhi was the last Indian Prime Minister to travel to Kuwait 43 years ago. Relations never soured, they simply stagnated. India Modi’s visit will mark a new historical importance in their relationship.
But why in 2024? The last two years have been devastating for West Asia in terms of security. Israel’s war against Iranian proxies across the region continues to displace, injure, and kill civilians in staggering numbers. Not only that, but the Taliban has become more active along its border with Pakistan. The Houthis have managed to disrupt global trade with continual attacks in the Red Sea. As the Middle East grows increasingly volatile, India’s alliances in the region become increasingly important.
India was not allied with Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian government, but he was not an enemy either. Modi refused to support sanctions against the Assad regime and aided in development projects throughout the dictator’s reign. The fall of a seemingly entrenched autocrat disturbs the feeling of security many leaders have. Thus, it was time for Prime Minister Modi to take account, check in on allies, and strengthen friendships, especially with those nations to his west.
Further, Kuwait was the only GCC member state that Modi had not visited in his tenure as PM. Between Modi’s India and GCC nations, trade reached USD 162 billion in value. In 2024, already Modi had visited the UAE and Qatar. Kuwait is an important supplier of petroleum to India and an important destination for Indian emigrants; a strong relationship between the two nations’ leaders is mutually beneficial.
Indians make up over thirty-five percent of Kuwait’s immigrant population and over twenty percent of Kuwait's total population, and Kuwait is a migrant labor destination for Indian workers. Thus, India has a vested interest in Kuwaiti affairs. Many of the Indians who live in Kuwait come from poor sections of the Indian economy and perform hard labor in Kuwait, where there is more economic opportunity for them. Kuwait is a rapidly growing country with massive investment in construction, creating thousands of jobs open to migrant laborers.
Unfortunately, Kuwait has a poor record of workers’ rights. There have been outcries against the working conditions of Indian laborers. Earlier this year, 45 Indians died in a fire at a cramped housing facility for laborers. Kuwait relies heavily on migrant labor from India and Southeast Asia, and yet Kuwait struggles to protect them. Prime Minister Modi visited a labor camp in Kuwait City during his trip and showed his support for Indian workers. According to his office, ministerial-level meetings took place to discuss protections for migrant workers.
Modi spent his time meeting with government officials, business leaders, cultural influencers, and everyday members of the Indian diaspora, who all gave him a warm welcome. PM Modi met with the emir of the state and crown prince of Kuwait, and the leaders decided to increase the level of the relationship between the two countries to a “Strategic partnership.” He also met with his counterpart, the Prime Minister of Kuwait, to discuss bilateral approaches to policy, security, trade, energy, and defense. Together, they established the Joint Commission on Cooperation (JCC), which is to oversee joint working groups on subjects like health, education, and technology.
Perhaps the most important piece of this trip was Modi’s congratulations to the Kuwaiti Amir on Kuwait’s place as President of the GCC this year. Modi’s respect for this position and his high-profile visit will likely boost their relationship with the GCC at large, what with being so friendly and all. PM Modi rounded out his visit with a reciprocal invite to Amir, Prime Minister, and minister-level leaders of Kuwait to come and visit India.
