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Visit of His Excellency Mr. E. Ahamed,
Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and
Special Envoy of the Government of India to the State of Kuwait
(April 16-17, 2006)
His Excellency Mr. E. Ahamed, the Minister of State for External Affairs and Special Envoy of the Government of India, paid an official visit to the State of Kuwait from April 16-17, 2006. This was Mr. Ahamed’s second visit to Kuwait as a Minister of State, his first visit having been in February 2005.
During his visit, the Special Envoy called on His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait. He also called on His Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait. In the meeting with His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait was also present. His Excellency Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Minister of Energy was present in the meeting with His Highness the Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait. The meetings were held in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Mr. Ahamed handed over a letter from the Hon’ble President of India His Excellency Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and conveyed the greetings and felicitations on behalf of the President and Prime Minister of India to His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait. The President and Prime Minister of India have invited His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait to visit India on mutually acceptable dates. During the visit of His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait to India, important bilateral agreements and MOUs on cooperation in the economic, trade and investment areas are expected to be concluded. The entire gamut of Indo-Kuwaiti relations and partnership, which are centuries old and based on tradition and friendship, will be discussed in detail. The visit would lead to the further enhancement of maintaining beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
His Highness the Prime Minister and His Excellency the Minister of State for External Affairs of India recalled the historical ties between the two countries. The entire gamut of bilateral relations in the context of the forthcoming visit of His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait to India was touched upon. Both sides discussed ideas towards further development and enhancement of bilateral cooperation in trade, economic and investment related areas.
During the discussions on investment related activity, the possibility of greater exposure of Kuwaiti investment in India and Indian investment in Kuwait was touched upon. The leaders of the two sides also recalled that the existing Indo-Kuwaiti Agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investment and the conclusion of the Indo-Kuwaiti Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation during His Highness the Amir’s visit to India would benefit mutual trade and economic cooperation.
Regional and international relations were also touched upon in the discussion between the visiting Indian Minister and the Kuwaiti leadership. Both sides noted an identity of views on a gamut of significant issues.
His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait and the Kuwaiti leaders noted that the Indian community was a preferred community. Minister Ahamed thanked His Highness the Amir and the Kuwaiti leadership for their care and benevolence of the Indian community. The Kuwaiti leaders expressed their readiness to address the issues which might affect the community.
The Indian community today numbers 5,08,288. The Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs addressed a well-attended meeting of the Indian community in the Embassy of India. He commended them for bringing pride to the country through their professionalism, hard work and honesty. He also outlined the various measures taken by the Government of India towards addressing the welfare of the Indian Diaspora, particularly in the Gulf countries. The Minister responded to a series of questions on subjects of interest to the community.
During his visit, the Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs officially launched the Indian Embassy website http://www.indembkwt.org/. The Minister met a cross-section of Kuwaiti dignitaries, community leaders and other prominent personalities in a reception hosted by the Ambassador of India in his honour.
Minister Ahamed expressed his gratitude to the Kuwaiti Government for the warmth, graciousness and generosity of their hospitality. His visit is a part of the ongoing dialogue between India and the State of Kuwait. Indian and Kuwaiti Ministers and officials will now work towards the preparation of the visit of His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait to India.
Press releases archives:
Visit of His Excellency Mr. E. Ahamed Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and
Special Envoy of the Government of India to the State of Kuwait
