Introduction
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kuwait. Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah invited PM Narendra Modi for a visit to Kuwait. The last Prime Minister to visit Kuwait was Indira Gandhi in 1981, making Narendra Modi the first prime minister to visit the country after 43 years.
Source: The Hindu
Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait
After PM Modi’s grand welcome, he held a strategic and an immense talk with the Amir, the Crown Prince Sabah Al-Khalid Al Sabah, discussing the strategic partnership between India and Kuwait on information, technology, pharmaceuticals, fintech, infrastructure, and security. The discourse focused on improving the partnership between the countries. On X (formerly known as Twitter) Prime Minister Narendra Modi described his meeting with the emir as ‘excellent.’. He further emphasized that he is looking forward to the strong friendship between these nations and is very optimistic regarding the strategic partnership that They have developed and are confident that it will develop even further in future.
Source: The Hindustan Times
The order of Mubarak Al Kabeer
Narendra Modi was awarded the order of Mubarak Al Kabeer, which is the highest honor and is usually awarded to the Head of the state, royal families, and the foreign sovereigns. He was given the award by the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This award has been previously given to foreign leaders such as Bill Clinton, Prince Charles and George Bush. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and dedicated the award to the people of India and the strong friendship between India and Kuwait.
About the award
The award was originated in 1974, in the memory of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, a ruler of Kuwait from 1896 to 1915. During this time Kuwait gained autonomy from the Ottoman Empire. In 1899, he signed an agreement with the British to protect his kingdom from Turkey, which made Kuwait the British protectorate. This award was initiated to honor him for his contribution to Kuwait, shaping the nation’s future. The design of the award was changed in 1992 when Kuwait was liberated from the rule of Iraq.
The PM of Kuwait in the special gesture came to the airport to see off Narendra Modi after his successful two-day visit.