India-Kuwait 6th Round of Foreign Office Consultations Strengthens Bilateral Ties

Kuwait City: The 6th round of India-Kuwait Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) was held on July 24, 2024, in Kuwait. The Indian delegation, led by Mr. Aseem R. Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf) at the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Kuwaiti delegation, headed by H.E. Ambassador Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia Affairs, engaged in comprehensive discussions on enhancing bilateral relations and addressing regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Both delegations expressed satisfaction with the traditionally strong ties between the two nations and underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation across various domains. Key areas of focus included political collaboration, regular high-level exchanges, trade and investment, education, technology, health, culture, and people-to-people contacts.

Mr. Mahajan also called on H.E. Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait, where they explored new avenues and initiatives to deepen the India-Kuwait partnership. In a separate meeting on July 23 with H.E. Mr. Ziyad Al-Najem, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, discussions centered around enhancing bilateral trade and investment cooperation, diversifying the trade basket, deepening energy cooperation, and exploring new initiatives in technology and Fintech.

Furthermore, Mr. Mahajan met with H.E. Ms. Tahani Rashid Al-Naseer, Assistant Foreign Minister (Legal), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss the early finalization of ongoing negotiations on various agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

The timely convening of the 6th FOC, following the previous round held in May 2023, is expected to impart further momentum to bilateral relations. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the consultations and agreed to hold the next FOC in New Delhi at a mutually convenient time.