Modi receives Kuwait’s highest honour
KUWAIT CITY, Dec 22:
India and Kuwait on Sunday vowed to enhance counter-terror cooperation while unequivocally condemning terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorist activities.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Ways to deal with the challenge of terrorism figured in talks between the two sides during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Gulf nation.
Click here to watch video
“The two sides unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism and called for disrupting of terrorism financing networks and safe havens, and dismantling of terror infrastructure,” a joint statement said.
The reference to cross-border terrorism comes amid Pakistan’s support to terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
On Sunday, Modi held extensive talks with Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Crown Prince Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah with a focus on giving new momentum to the overall bilateral ties.
The joint statement said the two sides discussed ways and means to promote cooperation in cybersecurity, including the prevention of the use of cyberspace for terrorism, radicalisation and for disturbing social harmony.
It said it was agreed to enhance cooperation in counter-terror operations, information and intelligence sharing and exchange experiences and best practices.
“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,” according to the statement.
Following talks between Modi and the Emir, the two sides elevated their ties to a strategic partnership.
In their delegation-level talks, the two Prime Ministers discussed a roadmap to strengthen the strategic partnership in diverse areas including trade, investment, energy, defence, security, health, education, technology and people-to-people ties, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence will provide for cooperation in the areas of defence industries, supply of defence equipment, joint exercises, training, exchange of personnel and experts and collaboration in research and development, Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (Overseas Indian Affairs) in the MEA, said at a media briefing.
There other MoUs were also inked that will facilitate cooperation in areas of sports, culture and solar energy.
In the meetings, the Indian side also showed keen interest in intensifying its cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) through Kuwait’s presidency of the influential grouping.
In the meeting between Modi and the Emir at the majestic Bayan Palace, the two leaders deliberated on boosting ties in areas of information technology, pharmaceuticals, fintech, infrastructure and security.
Modi thanked the Emir for ensuring the well-being of over one million Indians in Kuwait while the Kuwaiti leader expressed appreciation for the contribution of the community in the development journey of the Gulf nation.
In a post on ‘X’, Modi described his meeting with the Emir as “excellent”.
“Excellent meeting with His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah. We discussed cooperation in key sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, FinTech, Infrastructure and security,” he said.
“In line with the close ties between our nations, we have elevated our partnership to a strategic one and I am optimistic that our friendship will flourish even more in the times to come,” he added.
On his arrival at the Bayan Palace, Modi was given a ceremonial welcome and received by Kuwaiti Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
In the meeting with Crown Prince Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Modi conveyed that India attaches utmost importance to its bilateral relations with Kuwait.
“The leaders acknowledged that bilateral relations were progressing well and welcomed their elevation to a strategic partnership,” the MEA said.
It said the two leaders emphasised close coordination between both sides in the UN and other multilateral fora.
“The prime minister expressed confidence that India-GCC relations will be further strengthened under the Presidency of Kuwait,” the MEA said.
The Crown Prince hosted a banquet in honour of Modi.
Modi arrived here on Saturday on a two-day trip – the first to this Gulf nation by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years.
Kuwait on Sunday conferred its highest honour – ‘The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer’ – on Narendra Modi for his role in strengthening the good relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi received the honour from Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah at the Bayan Palace here.
“I am honoured to be conferred the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Order by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah. I dedicate this honour to the people of India and to the strong friendship between India and Kuwait,” Modi said in a post on X.
The ‘Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer’ is a knighthood order of Kuwait.
In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described it as “a testament to the long-standing India-Kuwait friendship”.
“PM dedicated this honour to India-Kuwait ties, to the Indian community in Kuwait and to the 1.4 billion people of India,” Jaiswal added.
The award was given to Prime Minister Modi for strengthening the good relations between the two nations, Kuwait’s state-run news agency KUNA reported.
This is the 20th international honour given to PM Modi by a country, officials said.
The order is awarded to the Heads of State and foreign Sovereigns and to members of foreign royal families in sign of friendship.
It has been previously awarded to foreign leaders like Bill Clinton, Prince Charles and George Bush.(PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
