New Delhi, 22 December (HS): Kuwait honoured Prime Minister Narendra Modi with its highest honour The Order of Mubarak Al Kabir. This is Prime Minister Modi's 20th international honour. In the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Modi and Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, both the countries emphasised on India-Kuwait relations as a 'strategic partnership'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Kuwait from Saturday. On the second day of the visit, before talks with the top leadership on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi met Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Kuwait's Bayan Palace. The Prime Minister also met Kuwait's Crown Prince Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah. Kuwait awarded Prime Minister Narendra Modi its highest honour The Order of Mubarak Al Kabir. This is the 20th international honour received by Prime Minister Modi.

It is noteworthy that the Order of Mubarak Al Kabir is the highest honour of Kuwait. It is awarded to heads of state and foreign sovereigns and members of foreign royal families as a symbol of friendship. It has previously been awarded to foreign leaders like Bill Clinton, Prince Charles and George Bush. This is the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to this Gulf country in the last 43 years.

On this occasion, delegation level talks were held between the two countries. Giving information about the talks, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said that in the discussion, both the countries focused on finding ways to take bilateral relations to new heights. The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the Emir for the welfare of the Indian community in Kuwait. Regarding relations with Kuwait, Prime Minister Modi tweeted, “Had a wonderful meeting with the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah. We discussed cooperation in key areas like pharmaceuticals, IT, fintech, infrastructure and security. In line with the close ties between our countries, we have elevated our partnership to a strategic level and I hope that our friendship will grow even stronger in the times to come.”

In an interview with Kuwaiti News Agency Director General Fatma Al-Salem here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said trade and commerce are important pillars of relations with Kuwait. He said there is a lot of potential for bilateral cooperation in areas like pharmaceuticals, health and technology.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar