'Came To Celebrate Achievements Of Indian Diaspora,' Says PM During 'Hala Modi' Event In Kuwait

Last Updated:December 22, 2024, 00:01 IST

PM Modi on Saturday afternoon arrived in Kuwait for a two-day visit to the Gulf nation at the invitation of the Amir of the State of Kuwait.

PM Modi addresses Hala Modi event in Kuwait.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that he was happy to see the diversity of people from India in the Middle East nation and called it a “mini-India".

While addressing the “Hala Modi" event at the Shaikh Saad Al Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex in Kuwait City, he said, “Just 2–2.5 hours ago, I arrived in Kuwait, and ever since setting foot here, I have felt an extraordinary sense of belonging and warmth all around. You all have come from various states of India, but seeing you here feels like a ‘Mini Hindustan’ has gathered before me."

Modi also spoke about India’s digital forward movement and stated that India had become digitally smart and this was only the beginning.

“Even for a cup of tea at a small stall, a person uses UPI in India. We have become digitally smart, and this is just the start," he said.

He also talked about the strong relationship between the two countries, touching on the support of Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I remember that Kuwait sent us liquid oxygen supply when we were going through the COVID-19 pandemic, we are very grateful," he said.

He arrived today afternoon arrived in Kuwait for a historic two-day visit, which he described as an opportunity to chalk out a roadmap for a futuristic partnership between India and the gulf nation.

Significantly, PM Modi’s visit to Kuwait marked the first trip to the Gulf nation by an Indian prime minister in the last 43 years. The trip comes at the invitation of Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait.

Ahead of his departure to the Gulf nation, PM Modi said, “I look forward to my meetings with His Highness the Amir, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister of Kuwait. It would be an opportunity to chalk out a roadmap for a futuristic partnership for the benefit of our people and the region."

He emphasised strong trade and energy partnership between both nations and said, “We also have shared interest in peace, security, stability and prosperity in the West Asia region."

During the visit, PM Modi will hold talks with the top Kuwaiti leadership.

“I eagerly look forward to meeting the Indian diaspora in Kuwait who have immensely contributed to the strengthening of bonds of friendship between the two nations," said PM Modi in an X post.

He further expressed his gratitude to the leadership of Kuwait for the special gesture of inviting him to the inauguration ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup, a premier sporting event in the Gulf region. “I look forward to being a part of this celebration of athletic excellence and regional unity," said the prime minister.

PM Modi further expressed his confidence that this visit will “strengthen and reinforce the special ties and bonds of friendship between the people of India and Kuwait."

PM Modi Gets Rousing Welcome

As PM Modi arrived at a hotel in Kuwait, where he would stay for the next two days, members of the Indian diaspora eagerly gathered to interact with him.

The Prime Minister interacted with members of the Indian diaspora and enjoyed a cultural performance by Indian artists at the hotel, showcasing folk acts from Kerala and other states of India.

He also met Abdullah Al Baroun and Abdul Lateef Al Nesef. Abdulla Al Baroun has translated both Ramayana and Mahabharata in Arabic, while Abdul Lateef Al Nesef has published the Arabic versions of both the holy scriptures.

PM Visits Labour Camp

As the first program of his visit to Kuwait, Modi visited a labour camp in Mina Abdullah area of Kuwait with a workforce of around 1500 Indian nationals. He interacted with a cross-section of Indian workers from different states of India and enquired about their well-being.

‘Visit To Open New Chapter Of Ties’: MEA

A day ahead of the prime minister’s trip, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said discussions are underway with Kuwait on a bilateral investment treaty and a defence cooperation pact.

At a media briefing, Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Overseas Indian Affairs) in the MEA, said a few bilateral documents are expected to be firmed up during the prime minister’s visit.

“The historic visit by the prime minister is expected to open a new chapter in India-Kuwait bilateral relations," he said.

“It will not only consolidate the partnership in existing spheres but also unveil new avenues for future cooperation, reinforce our shared values and build a more stronger and dynamic partnership for the future," he added.

Chatterjee said the visit is also expected to boost the ties between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC is an influential grouping comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.

On Modi’s planned visit to a labour camp in Kuwait, Chatterjee said the government of India attaches considerable importance to the welfare of all the Indian workers abroad.

“The idea of the visit of the prime minister to the labour camp is to express the amount of importance the government of India attaches to our workers. That is the prime purpose," he said.

Over 45 Indians were killed in a devastating fire in a building housing foreign workers in southern Kuwait’s Mangaf locality in June.

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