The inaugural meeting of the India-Kuwait Joint Defence Committee (JDC) was held in New Delhi on August 28. Both countries agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation across a wide range of areas, including training, military exercises, military medicine, staff talks, defence industry, and Research & Development (R&D).
“The first meeting of the JDC marked an important step towards operationalising the objectives outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation between India and Kuwait, signed during the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Kuwait in December 2024,” said a press release from the Ministry of Defence.
The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad and Brigadier General Raed Alsakran of the five-member Kuwaiti delegation. The Indian delegation comprised representatives from the three Services, Department of Defence Production, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Armed Forces Medical Services and Ministry of External Affairs, it said.
Ahead of the JDC meeting, Brigadier General Raed Alsakran laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid homage to the fallen heroes. The Kuwaiti delegation visited DPSU Bhawan, New Delhi, on the first day of their visit, where discussions were held with representatives of the Indian defence industry on potential areas of mutual cooperation.
According to the press release, an industry interaction with the Kuwaiti delegation is also scheduled for the second day of the visit.
India and Kuwait enjoy traditionally warm and friendly relations, rooted in historical ties that have stood the test of time. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1962. The relationship was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kuwait in December 2024.
Geographic proximity, historical trade links, cultural affinities, and the presence of a large Indian community in Kuwait continue to sustain and nurture the longstanding and multifaceted relationship between the two countries, it said.
-PIB
