India and Kuwait are traditional, time-tested partners: Dr Swaika
New Indian ambassador presents his credentials to CP
KUWAIT CITY, March 8: The new Ambassador of India to Kuwait HE Dr Adarsh Swaika after presenting his credentials to His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah thanked His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Sabah, the Government and the people of Kuwait.
In his address to the press, the Indian envoy said India and Kuwait have been traditional and timetested partners – a relationship that has both historical foundations and modern-day ingredients for a strong partnership. “Geographically, we are maritime neighbors, with the Arabian Sea connecting our shores; culturally, we are close to each other, especially the strong people to people connect that makes our relationship unique; economically, India is crucial to Kuwait’s food security while Kuwait is crucial to India’s energy security; and most importantly, it is a relationship to which the leadership of both countries attach utmost importance.
The ambassador highlighted the assistance and collaboration during the pandemic calling it very high. Kuwait was one of the largest sources of medical oxygen to India at a time of need. Similarly, the dispatch of a medical team from India to Kuwait and supply of ‘Made in India’ Covid vaccines was greatly appreciated by the Kuwaiti side. This demonstration of shared solidarity has brought IndiaKuwait more closer.
Briefly speaking about the political, economic, cultural, and consular areas of bilateral cooperation, Dr Swaika said, India values its partnership with Kuwait both bilaterally and regionally as part of its strong focus on the Gulf region.
“My priorities as ambassador would be to revitalize our high level political engagement. As we move ahead after the pandemic induced gap
in physical meetings, we hope to have high-level visit in the coming times, the ambassador added.
On the economic side, the total bilateral trade between India and Kuwait was $12.243 billion in 2021 the trade is increasing following the pandemic recovery since India is 2nd largest destination for Kuwait’s oil exports. Kuwait also has good investments in India, through Kuwait Investment Authority. “However, it is my considered view that there is a lot of untapped potential, both in terms of trade and investments from both sides. My endeavor as an ambassador would be to further strengthen our economic partnership.
Exports
“On trade front, there is a lot of scope for project exports from India. Similarly, Kuwait is yet to take advantage of the ‘Global Pharmacy of the world’ in terms of imports of quality and affordable Indian medicines and medical devices. Tourism to India, including medical and wellness tourism is yet another promising area. We will be focusing a lot on these areas in the next few months,” the ambassador said.
On another issue, the ambassador said, “Having a large Indian community in Kuwait also keeps the embassy on its toes, practically on a 24x7 basis. But then again, this is our duty and responsibility. Our consular service delivery mechanisms are robust. Embassy also has a sound feedback and grievance redressal mechanism including 12 whatsapp lines for various services. The whatsapp lines are being monitored on 24x7 basis by dedicated people.
“The Open House platform of ambassador personally attending to unresolved individual issues/grievances is a useful feedback mechanism and I intend to continue it. We have taken up the difficulties being faced by our engineers in Kuwait with the concerned authorities of Kuwait. We have already initiated the new model of conducting Consular camps for those Indian nationals who cannot come to our designated outsourcing centres due to distance and other factors. We have decided to reach them and render consular services. We did the first such camp in Wafra region last month and we will be doing another one in Jahra area this month,” said the ambassador.
tients expressed gratitude to Kuwait, namely His Highness the Amir, the Government and the people, for aiding those in need in the strip.