India will become growth engine of the world: Modi
India, Kuwait elevate ties to strategic partnership, PM Modi conferred with top Kuwait award
23/12/2024
KUWAIT CITY, Dec 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the Indian diaspora in Kuwait on Saturday, stated that India of the future would be the hub of global development as well as the growth engine of the world.
While speaking at the "Hala Modi" community event at Kuwait's Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex, PM Modi highlighted India's rapid transformation in various fields, including technology, infrastructure, and sustainability.
"Today, India is the fifth-largest economy in the world. We lead the world in fintech and have the third-largest startup ecosystem globally. India is also the second-largest mobile manufacturing country in the world," PM Modi said.
"The India of the future will be the hub of the development of the world... it will be the growth engine of the world," he added.
He further stated that in the last decade, the length of the optical fibre laid by India was eight times the distance between the Moon and Earth.
Prime Minister Modi also highlighted India's startups, which can offer immense opportunities for collab-oration with nations like Kuwait, particularly in sectors like fintech, healthcare, smart cities, and green technology.
He also noted India's potential to become the skill capital of the world and stated that the nation was also ready to meet the global skill demand.
"Indian startups can create cutting-edge solutions for every need of Kuwait, from fintech to healthcare, smart cities to green technology. India's skilled youth can also give new strength to Kuwait's future journey. India today has the potential to become the skill capital of the world. Therefore, India has the capability to meet the skill demand of the world," PM Modi said.
Reflecting on the strong ties between India and Kuwait, PM Modi acknowledged the critical role played by the Indian diaspora in strengthening the relationship between the two nations. He also expressed gratitude to the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for inviting him after 43 years, marking the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in more than four decades.
"India-Kuwait relationship has been profoundly enriched by the Indian community, which plays a pivotal role in fostering the ties between the two nations," PM Modi said.
PM Modi further praised the hard work and achievements of the Indian community, noting that their contributions were widely recognised by both the Kuwaiti government and society. He also highlighted the Indian government's commitment to ensuring the welfare of Indian workers abroad, mentioning technology-driven initiatives such as the E-Migrate portal.
"Whenever I speak with the leadership of Kuwait, they praise the contributions of Indians working here. Kuwaiti citizens also hold a deep admiration for Indians because of your hard work, honesty, and skills. Today, India ranks first in the world for remittances. Much of this success can be attributed to dedicated individuals like you. Additionally, our fellow countrymen value and respect your contributions," PM Modi stated.
"Agreements are being established with various countries to ensure the welfare of Indians working abroad. You may have heard of e-Migrate. This platform brings together foreign companies and registered agents, providing effective manpower solutions," he added.
On the shared goals of India and Kuwait, the Prime Minister spoke about the alignment of their visions and stated that India was focused on innovation and Kuwait on striving to become a dynamic economy. He also touched upon the ongoing efforts to strengthen India's economy and emphasised the potential for new partnerships with Kuwait in areas of skill development and innovation.
"In the decades to come, we will become partners in our prosperity. Our goals aren't different! The people of Kuwait are building New Kuwait. The people of Bharat are working to build India into a developed nation by 2047. Through trade and innovation, Kuwait wants to become a dynamic economy. India is focusing on innovation and strengthening its economy. Both goals support each other," PM Modi stated.
PM Modi further invited the Indian diaspora to take part in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and Maha Kumbh in India in January 2025, events aimed at further engaging with the global Indian community.
"The journey toward a developed India, or Viksit Bharat, cannot be completed without the active participation of the Indian diaspora. Therefore, I invite all of you to join in the spirit of Viksit Bharat! In January 2025, we will celebrate a month full of national festivals. From January 8th to 10th, Bhubaneswar will host the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, where people from around the world will visit India to commemorate this occasion," PM Modi stated.
PM Modi also reflected on the enduring cultural ties between India and Kuwait, noting that late veteran actor Dilip Kumar inaugurated the first Indian restaurant in Kuwait, and now he had been invited as a guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup.
PM Modi is on a two-day visit to the Gulf nation of Kuwait at the invitation of Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years.
On his arrival, PM Modi was received by Kuwait's first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, along with the country's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya and several other dignitaries.
Notably, Indian diaspora in Kuwait expressed a wave of excitement and enthusiasm ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the community event 'Hala Modi' at Shaikh Saad Al Abdullah Indoor Sports Complex.
India and Kuwait on Sunday elevated their ties to Strategic Partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with the top Kuwaiti leadership, including the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, even as the two sides inked agreements in the field of defence, sports and cultural exchanges. PM Modi was also conferred with Kuwait's top award in a sign of the growing of bilateral ties.
The MEA spokesperson in a post on X said:
"A significant step forward: India-Kuwait relations elevated to a 'Strategic Partnership'!
"PM @narendramodi met HH Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of Kuwait at the Bayan Palace, Kuwait.
"Discussions focused on exploring ways to take bilateral ties to new heights. PM expressed his gratitude to HH the Amir for the welfare of the Indian community in Kuwait."
PM Modi said in a post on X: "Excellent meeting with His Highness the Emir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
"We discussed cooperation in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, IT, fintech, infrastructure and security.
"In line with the close relations between our two countries, we have elevated our partnership to a strategic level and I am optimistic that our friendship will flourish further in the future."
The PM also held talks with the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, and with the Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah.
The MEA spokesperson said in a post on X:
"A partnership built on shared values and vision.
"PM @narendramodi and HH Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, PM of Kuwait held productive meeting today at the Bayan Palace, Kuwait.
"Both sides exchanged views on a range of bilateral topics with a focus on strengthening economic cooperation."
On his meeting with the Kuwaiti Crown Prince, the PM posted:
"Had a very good meeting with His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince of Kuwait. The discussions covered ways to deepen economic and cultural linkages between our nations.
"We are extremely optimistic about the India-Kuwait Strategic Partnership scaling new heights of success in the times to come."
The MEA spokesperson in a post said:
"India-Kuwait ties strengthened further!
"PM @narendramodi met HH Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait.
"Both leaders welcomed the elevation of relations to 'Strategic Partnership' & discussed various facets of bilateral ties."
Prime Minister Modi was also decorated with Kuwait's top honour of Mubarak Al-Kabeer medal in appreciation for his role in boosting the good ties between Kuwait and India.
The honour was bestowed on PM Modi by the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in a ceremony held at Bayan Palace
The bilateral agreements reached included:
MoU between India and Kuwait on Cooperation in the field of Defence.
This MoU will institutionalize bilateral cooperation in the area of defence. Key areas of cooperation include training, exchange of personnel and experts, joint exercises, cooperation in defence industry, supply of defence equipment, and collaboration in research and development, among others.
Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between India and Kuwait for the years 2025-2029.
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 organizing of festivals.
Executive Programme (EP) for Cooperation in the Field of Sports (2025-2028)
The Executive Programme will strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of sports between India and Kuwait by promoting exchange of visits of sports leaders for experience sharing, participation in programs and projects in the field of sports, exchange of expertise in sports medicine, sports management, sports media, sports science, among others.
Kuwait's membership of International Solar Alliance (ISA).
The International Solar Alliance collectively covers the deployment of solar energy and addresses key common challenges to the scaling up of use of solar energy to help member countries develop low-carbon growth trajectories.
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