Kuwait and India are entering a new phase of strategic partnership, with both countries preparing to expand cooperation across defense, renewable energy, technology, infrastructure, healthcare, food security and investment, according to Kuwait’s Ambassador to India H.E. Meshaal Al-Shamali.
The relationship reached a major milestone with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait in December 2024, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Kuwait in 43 years. This visit elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership and resulted in agreements covering defense, culture and sports.
Defense cooperation is expected to expand significantly beyond traditional military ties. A bilateral memorandum provides for military training, exercises, technical expertise, defense research and development, logistics and counter-terrorism cooperation. The Joint Defense Committee, which met in New Delhi last August, agreed to strengthen military training and exchange expertise in defense industries and military medicine. India’s capabilities in defense manufacturing, radar, surveillance and reconnaissance systems could create opportunities for deeper cooperation with Kuwait.
Kuwait is actively seeking to attract more Indian companies, investment and skilled professionals, particularly in infrastructure, manufacturing, tourism, healthcare and renewable energy. Indian companies are being encouraged to participate directly in the Kuwaiti market and in major government projects. Kuwait also hopes to increase its investments in India. India remains one of Kuwait’s key trading partners, while Kuwait is an important energy supplier to India, providing about 5% of India’s energy needs through oil and gas.
The Indian community in Kuwait plays a central role in the country’s economy and services. Around 1 million Indians live in Kuwait, making them the largest expatriate community. They account for about 21% of Kuwait’s total population and 30% of its workforce, working across healthcare, medicine, nursing, engineering, construction and education. Indian medical and nursing professionals are particularly significant, accounting for approximately one-third of the medical and nursing workforce in Kuwaiti healthcare facilities.
Kuwait and India have a 2021 agreement governing domestic workers, including provisions aimed at protecting workers’ rights and defining the responsibilities of employers and workers. There are no restrictions on the number of workers who can be recruited from India, provided Kuwaiti regulations are followed.
More than 11,000 tourist visas were issued to Kuwaiti citizens for travel to India from the beginning of 2024 through the first half of 2025. A major economic development is the start of GCC-India free trade negotiations in 2026, which could broaden trade and investment opportunities. The year 2026 marks 65 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established in 1961.
What This Means for Expats: India’s large expatriate community in Kuwait—around 1 million people—will likely benefit from expanded job opportunities in infrastructure, healthcare, renewable energy and manufacturing as bilateral cooperation deepens, while the GCC-India free trade agreement could create new business and investment prospects for Indian professionals and companies.
Source: Times of Kuwait
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