Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan began a two-day visit to Kuwait on Sunday to offer the government’s condolences to the West Asian nation on the death of its former emir, reflecting the importance India attaches to its ties. with the oil-rich country.
Pradhan carried letters from the president and prime minister to the leadership of Kuwait, condoning the death of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
He will also convey congratulations on behalf of India to Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the new emir, and Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who took over as Crown Prince. People familiar with the events said, on condition of anonymity, that the visit will provide an opportunity to review bilateral relations.
“We look forward to meeting the new leaders in Kuwait to further strengthen the multifaceted India-Kuwait relationship and advance our historic relationship in various areas,” Pradhan tweeted.
Kuwait ranks sixth on India’s list of energy sources. India has consistently been among Kuwait’s top ten trading partners, with two-way trade worth $ 6.2 billion in 2015-16. Kuwait’s Sovereign Wealth Fund has invested $ 2 billion in India since 2017, bringing total investments to $ 5 billion.
The West Asian country is also home to more than a million Indians, the largest expat community, and its annual remittances are estimated at $ 4.8 billion. They include professionals such as engineers, doctors, nurses, software experts, management consultants, and a host of unskilled and semi-skilled workers.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah died in an American hospital on September 29 at the age of 91.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar visited the Kuwaiti embassy in New Delhi on October 1 to convey India’s condolences. India also observed a day of national mourning on October 4.
India and Kuwait maintained close and friendly relations under the late emir’s leadership, the Foreign Ministry said, describing him as a “true friend and sympathizer of India to guide and strengthen bilateral engagements for the mutual benefit of the country’s people. “. two countries. ”
The two countries also cooperated closely during the Covid-19 crisis, and India sent a rapid medical response team to Kuwait in April to boost its fight against the pandemic by assisting in the testing and treatment of infected people.
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