Agreeing to elevate the relations to a 'Strategic Partnership', India and Kuwait on Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to institutionalise bilateral cooperation in the area of defence during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic two-day visit to the key Gulf nation.
Knowing the significance of defense as a vital component of the strategic partnership, both countries maintain that the MoU will give the necessary framework to further strengthen bilateral defense ties through joint military exercises, training of defense personnel, coastal defense, maritime safety, and joint development and production of defense equipment.
The two sides also "unequivocally condemned" terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, called for the disruption of terrorism financing networks and safe havens, and dismantling of terror infrastructure.
"Expressing appreciation of their ongoing bilateral cooperation in the area of security, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism operations, information and intelligence sharing, developing and exchanging experiences, best practices and technologies, capacity building and to strengthen cooperation in law enforcement, anti-money laundering, drug-trafficking and other transnational crimes," read the Joint Statement issued after the conclusion of PM Modi's visit.
Discussions were also held to promote cooperation in the area of cybersecurity, prevention of use of cyberspace for terrorism, radicalisation and for disturbing social harmony.
"The two sides expressed interest in pursuing deeper collaboration in the area of technology, including emerging technologies, semiconductors and artificial intelligence. They discussed avenues to explore B2B cooperation, furthering e-Governance and sharing best practices for facilitating industries/companies of both countries in the policies and regulation in the electronics and IT sector," the Joint Statement mentioned.
The Kuwaiti side also evinced interest in cooperating with India to ensure its food security. Both sides discussed the various avenues of cooperation and include investments by Kuwaiti companies in food parks in India.
India welcomed Kuwait's decision to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and regarded it as a significant step toward cooperation in developing and deploying low-carbon growth trajectories and fostering sustainable energy solutions.
New Joint Working Groups (JWGs) have been established in areas of trade, investments, education and skill development, science and technology, security and counter-terrorism, agriculture, and culture, besides the existing JWGs on health, manpower and hydrocarbons.
Both sides underlined the convening of the meetings of the newly-established Joint Commission on Cooperation (JCC) and the JWGs under it at an early date to further expand bilateral cooperation across various fields.
Besides the MoU on defence, the executive programme on cooperation in the field of sports for 2025-2028 and the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for 2025-2029, were also signed.
The CEP will facilitate greater cultural exchanges in art, music, dance, literature and theatre, cooperation in preservation of cultural heritage, research and development in the area of culture and organising of festivals.
The executive program will, on its part, further bilateral cooperation between India and Kuwait in the field of sports by promoting the exchange of visits of sports leaders for experience sharing, participation in programs and projects in the field of sports, and exchange of expertise in sports medicine, sports management, sports media, sports science, among others.
Read also| Sri Lanka and China to Focus on Advancing High-Quality Development of BRI: Report
Read also| Canada Unveils New Border Security Plan Amid Trump’s Tariff Threats
