• Official Name:State of Kuwait
• Capital:Kuwait
• Geographical location:(Latitude) 29º and 30º North (Longitude) 47º and 48º East
• Area:17,818 sq km
• Climate:December to February – cold and sometimes windy with occasional rainfall
  ;March to April – Cool and pleasant; May to September – summer – intensely hot & dry; October to November – Cool and pleasant.
• Population:3.606 million (IMF Estimates) comprising 1.10 million Kuwaities or 32% of population; 2.34 million expatriates; Indian community numbers nearly 600,000, constituting the largest expatriate population in Kuwait.
• Life Expectancy:Male – 77.8 yrs, Female – 79.9 yrs
• Literacy:Male – 98.3%; Female – 86.5%
• Administrative:
  Divisions6 Governorates: Al-Ahmadi, Al-Farwaniyah, Capital (Kuwait) City, Al-Jahra, Hawalli, Mubarak Al-Kabeer
• Religion:Islam. Sunnis are in majority. About 30% are Shias
• Language:Arabic
• Measures used: Metric system
• Time difference: IST (-) 2½ hours; GMT (+) 3 hours
• Head of State (Amir):  His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
• Crown Prince:  His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
• Prime Minister: His Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah
• Deputy Prime Minister:  and Minister of Foreign AffairsHis Excellency Sheikh (Dr.) Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah
• Economy:Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with estimated crude oil reserves of about 99 billion barrels or 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 80% of Government income. The climate is not suitable for agriculture and Kuwait depends on food imports. Almost all potable water is either desalinated or imported.Kuwait is a major supplier of oil and oil products to India and is the second largest source in the Gulf after Saudi Arabia
• Fiscal Year: April 1 to March 31
• Main natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, fish
• Oil production: 2.22 mn bpd (OPEC quota ) (projected to reach a capacity of 4 million bpd by 2020 once “Project Kuwait” becomes operational)
• Industries:
  Petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, food processing, desalination,   construction materials
• Currency:
  Kuwaiti Dinar subdivided into 1000 fils is freely convertible. 1 KD =  US$ 3.42 (approx); 1 KD = Rs. 160 (approx)

About Kuwait:

The State of Kuwait is a small oil-rich monarchy on the coast of the Persian Gulf, enclosed by Saudi Arabia in the south and Iraq in the north. The name is a diminutive of an Arabic word meaning “fortress built near water.” Kuwait, which means ‘little fort’, is an Islamic constitutional monarchy in southwestern Asia. On August 2nd 1990 Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait, claiming it as its 19th province. This led to the Gulf War that liberated the country in 1991. In November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN- demarcated border with Kuwait that had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions made in 1991 and 1993.

Kuwait consists mostly of desert, with little altitude difference. Kuwait is the only country in the world with no natural lake or water reservoir. It has nine islands, the largest one being Bobiyan, which is linked to the mainland by a concrete bridge (after the liberation in 1991 the island was converted into a military base and currently no civilians are allowed in).

The islands are:

Although summers are long, hot, and mostly dry, with daily temperatures between 43º and 47ºC (110º and 120ºF) and high humidity in August, the fall and spring are pleasant and mild. Winters are short and relatively cool. Sandstorms and very hot northwesterly winds in June and July exaggerate the effects of the summer heat. Rainfall is scanty and some rain falls mainly in winter and spring.

Most of the population is concentrated in cities near or along the Persian Gulf coast. Approximately 45 percent of the people are native Kuwaitis, while the remainder is foreign workers. Kuwait also has a significant population classified as bidun (Arabic for “without “or stateless), who are not citizens of any country. Among Kuwaiti citizens the population growth rate is very high, probably owing to Kuwait’s prosperity and high level of health care and social services. Nearly 50 percent of the population was younger than 25 years old in 1997.

Arab culture and traditions, anchored by Islam, are the secure foundations upon which the modern State of Kuwait is built. The metamorphosis in lifestyle brought about by the discovery of oil did not efface the identity of the people of Kuwait. The ravages brought by the Iraqi aggression also did not stifle the spirit of the Kuwaitis as they rebuilt their country in record time.

The State of Kuwait has always paid special attention to the preservation of its culture and heritage by maintaining monuments and preserving arte-facts and historical documents. The National Museum is one of the 50 locations where these are housed. The destruction caused by the Iraqi troops created a heightened awareness among the people about the need to preserve and resurrect the art and craft of Kuwait. The new architecture of the city, which combines modern design with traditional art, reflects this awareness.

Kuwait has a large variety of customs and traditions, and this gives rise to a colourful and extensive culture, reflected in the Diwaniya, the Bedouin traditions and Al Sadu weaving. The people of Kuwait also have special love for the arts, be it literature, theatre, music, dance, films or contemporary art. The National Council of Culture, Arts and Literature (NCCAL); The Free Art Studio and The Kuwaiti Society of Formative Artists are promoting the visual arts in Kuwait.

Kuwait’s first museum was the residence of Sheikh Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah. The archaeological discoveries at Failaka created a need for a place to house these important finds. A department of Antiquity and Museums was also set up. The department bought the former home of the Al Badr family in Kuwait City and turned it into the first national museum while waiting to build a museum fit to house the discoveries made in Kuwait.

Kuwaiti society bases much of its culture on the country’s ancient folklore, which is replete with land and sea tales, riddles and proverbs. In 1956, the Folklore Preservation Centre was established to collect, record, and classify Kuwaiti folklore. Songs based on these tales are sung on public and private occasions.

The music of Kuwait is a reflection of its diverse heritage. Kuwaiti traders brought back music from East Africa and India. Traders from foreign shores left their music behind too. The result is the rich and vibrant sound of Kuwaiti music. A traditional musical instrument of the Bedouin is the single-string ‘Rubabah’, made of parchment wrapped round a wooden frame. Other popular instruments are the ‘Oud’ (a lute), ‘Al-mirwas’ (small drums), ‘Al-habban’ (a bagpipe) and ‘Al-tanbarah’ (a string instrument). Songs are an integral part of dances that are performed at weddings and other celebrations.

Traditional dance is an important part of feasts and celebrations. The Ardah dance is performed by men at feasts and weddings. Dancers carry swords while dancing to the rhythm of folk music played on drums and tambourines. The Samiri , Fraisah, Al Zifan, Khamari, and Tanboura are dances that are performed by women at family and social gatherings.

KUWAIT National Animal : Camel

KUWAIT National Flower : Rhanterum epapposum

Kuwait National Name : State of Kuwait

National Capital : Kuwait City

Kuwait Area : Approx. 17,818n Sq Km (6,880 Sq. Mi), 0.01% of total

Kuwait Population : 3,051,000 in 2010 (0.04% in total)

Ethnicity in Kuwait : Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%

Kuwait Languages : Arabic (official), English widely spoken.

Religions in Kuwait: Islam 85% (Sunni 70%, Shiite 30%); Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%

Currency : Kuwaiti Dinar ,KWD

Background:

Nominally a province of the Ottoman Empire, ruled from Constantinople from the 16th century until the latter part of the 19th century. In that time Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah or “Mubarak the Great” (r.1896-1915) enters into an agreement with Great Britain, which effectively established Kuwait as an autonomous British protectorate with a semi-autonomous position for the country.
Mid-1930s Kuwait began the development of its petroleum industry, the basis of the country’s modern prosperity. On June 19, 1961 Kuwait gained full independence from Britain and in 1963 it became a member of the United Nations.
Kuwait’s sovereignty were critically threatened when Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait on August 2, 1990, claiming that Kuwait was harming Iraq economically by refusing to reduce its oil production. Many Kuwaitis were forced to flee to Saudi Arabia and other countries. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, an international coalition of 30 states, led by the United States began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait has spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.

border countries: Iraq, Saudi Arabia. other Gulf States: Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates. Kuwait is a member state of the League of Arab States.Kuwait was founded in the early 1700s after tribes from Central Arabia settled in the Bay of Kuwait City. The Al-Sabah family has been in power since 1756. Fearful that the Ottoman Empire would expand further south, Kuwait came under British protection in 1899. In 1961 Kuwait gained independence from Britain while Iraq pressed a territorial claim to the country. Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait on August 2, 1990. On February 26,

Kuwait is a hereditary Emirate with an elected National Assembly and a democratic style of governance. HH the Amir is the Head of State and appoints the Prime Minister who heads the Government. The Constitution provides for separation of powers among the Executive, Judiciary and Legislature. The Parliament of Kuwait is called National Assembly (Majlis Al-Umma), which is unicameral with 50 members elected for a four-year term. The number of constituencies was reduced to 5 in July 2006. Ministers are not elected but sit as ex-officio MPs. The number of Ministers is fixed at 16 including the PM (⅓rd the strength of the House). One MP has to be included in the Council of Ministers. To complete the National Assembly quorum, at least one Cabinet Minister has to attend session.

Following the demise of the 13th Amir, HH Sheikh Jaber AI-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in January 2006, the Kuwaiti Cabinet announced the appointment of the Crown Prince, HH Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, as the 14th Amir of Kuwait. However, due to his ill health, then Prime Minister HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was appointed the 15th Amir of Kuwait. HH the Amir appointed HH Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as the new Crown Prince and HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as the new Prime Minister on February 7, 2006. The last elections (13th) to the National Assembly of Kuwait were held on May 16, 2009, following which Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah was reappointed.

India-Kuwait Relations

India and Kuwait enjoy traditionally friendly relations. These are based in history and have stood the test of time. Geographic proximity, historical trade links, cultural affinities and presence of a large number of Indian expatriates continue to sustain and nurture this long standing relationship. India has been a natural trading partner and a destination for higher learning. Until 1961, the Indian Rupee was the legal tender in Kuwait. High level visits from India to Kuwait have included those by Hon’ble Vice President of India Dr. Zakir Husain in 1965, by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1981 and by Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri M Hamid Ansari in 2009. High level visits from Kuwait to India have included those by HH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah in November 1964, HH the Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in 1980 and again in 1983 (for the NAM Summit), and HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in 2006.

Visit of Hon’ble Vice President of India

The official visit of the Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri M Hamid Ansari, accompanied by Smt. Salma Ansari, to Kuwait took place from April 6-8, 2009 at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait. During the visit, Vice President called on His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, and had substantive discussions with him and HH the Crown Prince. Acting Prime Minister and First DPM/Defence Minister HE Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, DPM/Foreign Minister HE Sheikh (Dr.) Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Minister of Oil HE Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Minister of Finance HE Mr Mustafa Jassim Al-Shimali called on our Vice President during his stay in Kuwait to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Three agreements were signed during the visit – Educational Exchange Programme for the period 2009-2011, Agreement on Cooperation in Science & Technology and Cultural Exchange Programme for the period 2009-2011. From the Kuwaiti side, the first two agreements were signed by the Minister of Education HE Mrs Nouriya Subeeh Barrak Al-Subeeh and the last one by Minister of Information H.E. Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. From the Indian side, all the three agreements were signed by the Ambassador of India to Kuwait.

Hon’ble Vice President addressed the Kuwaiti business community at a function organized by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also interacted with the Indian community in Kuwait at a reception hosted by the Ambassador of India to Kuwait. Vice President accompanied by Smt. Ansari, visited the Grand Mosque and the Kuwait Scientific Centre. Smt. Ansari paid separate visits to Sadu House, Tareq Rajab Museum and Kuwait Towers.

Hon’ble Vice President was received and seen off at the Kuwait airport by His Highness the Crown Prince accompanied by the Acting Prime Minister and other senior Kuwaiti dignitaries including the Deputy Chief of the National Guard Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh (Dr.) Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Advisor at the Amiri Diwan and head of the honorary mission Mr. Mohammad Abdullah Abulhassan, Governors and other senior officials.

Visit of High Highness the Amir of Kuwait

His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait, visited India from June 14-19, 2006, accompanied by senior Ministers and officials. HH the Amir held talks with the President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister of India. In New Delhi HH the Amir addressed a luncheon meeting of representatives of apex Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ASSOCHAM, CII and FICCI. In Mumbai, HH the Amir met the Governor of Maharashtra and addressed a meeting organised by CII.

Three Agreements were concluded during the visit. These were (i) Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (DTAA); (ii) Agreement on Drug Demand Reduction and Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursor Chemicals and Related Matters; and (iii) Executive Programme for the Cultural and Information Exchanges between India and Kuwait for the years 2006 – 2008.

EAM’s visit to Kuwait

Minister of External Affairs of India Shri S. M. Krishna visited Kuwait on February 3-4, 2010, during which he met HH the Amir, HH the Prime Minister, and HE the Deputy PM and Foreign Minister. This stand-alone visit to Kuwait was EAM’s first visit to the Gulf region since taking charge as Minister of External Affairs. He also expressed hope that India would soon become a permanent member of the UNSC. EAM was accompanied by Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Ms. V. Latha Reddy.

Other Recent High Level Exchanges

Mr. Faisal Al Hajji Bukhadour, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs of Kuwait accompanied by the Under Secretary of Civil Service Commission Mr. Mohammed Al Roomi paid an official visit to India to meet his counterpart, Minister of State for Personnel from February 3-7, 2009. He also met Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahmed. The Foreign Minister Sheikh (Dr.) Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah visited India in August 2004. During the visit, three bilateral agreements were signed including the India-GCC Framework Agreement for Economic Cooperation. Other visits to India include those of Dr. Ismael Khudhur Shatti, the then Minister of Communications on June 28, 2006 and Engr. Falah Fahed Mohammad Al-Hajri, Minister of Commerce and Industry to Bangalore to attend the CII Partnership Summit in Bangalore on January 17-19, 2007.

From India, recent visits include those of Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. E. Ahamed on April 16-17, 2006 on a bilateral visit; on October 16, 2006 for meetings with the Kuwaiti leadership; on November 26-27, 2006 to co-Chair the first meeting of the Kuwait-India Joint Ministerial Commission; on March 10, 2006 to canvas for India’s bid to host the 17th Asian Games in Delhi in 2014; from January 29-31, 2008; and on May 15, 2008 to convey condolences on the demise of the Father Amir His Highness Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah on behalf of Government of India to the Royal Family and the people of Kuwait.

Shri S M Krishna, Minister of External Affairs, India, also paid a transit visit to Kuwait enroute to attend the 15th NAM Summit at Sharm El Sheikh and spent a night in Kuwait on July 12/13, 2009

The Minister of Oil and Minister of Information of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah visited India from September 25-28, 2010. He called on the Vice-President and Prime Minister of India, besides meeting Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Information and Broadcasting. Minister Abdullah also held discussions with top officials of ONGC and IOC. He inaugurated the “Sabah Cultural Library” at the India Arab Cultural Centre in Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi – the first and largest cultural project by Kuwait in India. The library would be supplied by Kuwaiti publications in corporation with Kuwaiti Ministry of Information, Kuwait News Agency, KISR and Kuwait University.

International Cooperation

India and Kuwait share common perceptions on various regional and international issues and have cooperated in regional and international fora. There have been several high level discussions and consultations at political and senior diplomatic levels as well as exchange of visits between the two countries.

India-Kuwait Agreements

• • Cultural Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the State of Kuwait signed on November 2, 1970.
• • Trade Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of the State of Kuwait signed on February 13, 1974.
• • Cooperation Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of the State of Kuwait signed on February 15, 1992.
• • MOU on cooperation in the field of telecommunication between the Government of India and the Government of the State of Kuwait signed on February 19, 1992
• • Protocol between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of the Republic of India and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) for Scientific and Technical Cooperation signed on June 16, 1995.
• • Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait on the Conducting of Bilateral Consultations signed on July 9, 2000.
• • Agreement between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of India for the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment signed on November 27, 2001.
• • Academic Agreement between Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi and Faculty of Arts, Kuwait University signed on December 2003.
• • Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters signed on August 25, 2004
• • Extradition Treaty between the Republic of India and the State of Kuwait signed on August 25, 2004.
• • MOU for Establishment of India-Kuwait Strategic Consultative Group signed on August 25, 2004.
• • Agreement on Juridical and Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters signed on August 16, 2005.
• • Agreement on Drug Demand Reduction and Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Percursor Chemicals and Related Matters signed on June 15, 2006.
• • Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement and for the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (DTAA) between India and Kuwait signed on June 15, 2006
• • MoU on Labour, Employment and Manpower Development signed on April 10, 2007
• • MoU on Cooperation between the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and Kuwait’s State Audit Bureau signed on July 15, 2008.
• • Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between India and Kuwait signed on April 7, 2009.
• • Executive Programme for the Cultural and Information Exchanges between India and Kuwait for the years 2009 – 2011 signed on April 7, 2009.
• • Executive Programme for Education and Learning Cooperation between India and Kuwait for the years 2009 – 2011 signed on April 7, 2009.

India – GCC

Kuwait is an active member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), while India and the GCC are dialogue partners. India-GCC Political Dialogues are held annually on the margins of the UNGA in New York, while three India-GCC Industrial Conferences have also taken place so far.

Joint Ministerial Commission

An “Agreement between India and Kuwait for the promotion of Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation” was signed in Kuwait in February 1992 during the visit of then EAM Shri Madhavsinh Solanki. At the same time both sides also agreed to set up an “India-Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation”. During the visit of the Amir to India in June 2006, it was decided that the Joint Commission for Economic and Commercial Cooperation would hold its first meeting in the last quarter of 2006.

Accordingly, the first meeting of the India-Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation took place in Kuwait on November 25-27, 2006. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. E. Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs on the Indian side and Mr. Bader Meshari Al-Homeidhi, Finance Minister from the Kuwaiti side. Discussions were held in four Working Groups dealing with Labour and Employment; Trade, Investment and Finance; Energy, Petroleum, Petrochemicals and Fertilisers; and Science & Technology, Information Technology and Communications, Health and Education.

The second meeting of the India-Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission was held in New Delhi on July 1-3, 2008. It was co-chaired by Mr. E. Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs from India and Mr. Mustafa Jassim Al-Shamali, Minister of Finance from Kuwait. Among the notable decisions of the JMC include forming of a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Hydrocarbons and setting up of a technical level mechanism to review the implementation of the decisions arrived at the Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting.

Subsequently, the first meeting of the Joint Working Group on Hydrocarbons was held in December 2009 in Kuwait. The second meeting of the Joint Working Group on Labour, Employment and Manpower Development was convened in Kuwait in January 2010. In order to move forward the process of this JWG, India and Kuwait signed a document on August 17, 2010 which aims at further strengthening bilateral cooperation in employment and manpower development by regulating recruitment in a legal and orderly way as also to address the entire range of concerns of Indian domestic sector and private sector workers in Kuwait.

Culture, Science & Technology and Education

In the field of culture, education, science & technology and media, there have been series of regular exchanges between Kuwait and India. A Cultural Exchange Programme, a MoU in the field of Science & Technology and a Memorandum of Understanding between Kuwait University and Jamia Millia Islamia provide a framework for regular exchanges. During the visit of His Highness the Amir in June 2006, an Executive Programme for Cultural and Information Exchanges for 2006-08 was signed. During the Hon’ble Vice President of India’s visit to Kuwait in April 2009, the Executive Programme for Cultural and Information Exchanges for 2009-11 was signed. Cultural troupes have also been frequently exchanged. An agreement to cooperate in the field of Science and Technology was also signed during the visit.

The Embassy of India, Kuwait organised an Indian Film Festival from April 2-5, 2008 when three films were screened. Kuwaiti Minister of Information inaugurated the event. A “Festival of India in Kuwait” was organized from November 8-14, 2009, co-hosted by the Indian Ministry of Culture and the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, State of Kuwait. It provided glimpses of performing arts and visual arts from various regions of India. The Festival was held across multiple venues in Kuwait, such as the Kaifan Auditorium, the Grand Mosque Auditorium, Al-Sadu House, Al-Fanoon Hall, Discovery Centre, and the Avenues Mall. It was inaugurated by the Minister of Oil and Minister of Information of Kuwait. It included cultural performances and exhibitions at multiple venues by a 130 strong contingent from India arranged by the Ministry of Culture. The festival showcased performances by renowned musicians and dancers from India, and included displays of contemporary art, folk art, textiles, photographs, calligraphy, dolls, as well as puppet shows.

An Indian Food Festival was organized by the Embassy of India at the landmark Kuwait Towers from April 1-7, 2010. Tourism to India was promoted by India’s participation in the Travel World Expo held in Kuwait in May 2009 and 2010.

On October 2, 2010, a “Qawwali Evening” by the illustrious “Nizami Bandhu” was organized at the Embassy, which was attended by several Kuwaiti dignitaries, Ambassadors, and members of the Indian community in Kuwait

Indian Community in Kuwait

According to the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior, there are approximately 700,000 Indians, who constitute the largest expatriate community in Kuwait. The Indian community is regarded as the community of first preference among the expatriates in Kuwait. Kuwait views India as a fast growing economy and a source of highly qualified professional and technical personnel. A large proportion of the Indian expatriates are unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Professionals like engineers, doctors, chartered accountants, scientists, software experts, management consultants, architects; skilled workers like technicians and nurses; semi-skilled workers; retail traders and businessmen are also present in the Indian community.

Of late, there has been an increase in the number of highly qualified Indian experts in hi-tech areas, especially in the software and financial sector in Kuwait. In the field of health, India not only supplies top specialists but also para-medical staff who enjoy high reputation.

The total remittance from Kuwait to India is estimated to be upwards of US$ 3 billion annually

Approximately 300 associations exist within the Indian community in Kuwait, representing a variety of regional, professional and cultural interests. Of these, 128 Associations are presently registered with the Embassy. Cultural events are organized regularly by these associations through the year, to which leading Indian artistes are often invited.

There are 18 Indian Schools in Kuwait affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi.