Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait City

Kuwait City, Dec 9: Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sarthak arrived at Kuwait’s Shuwaikh Port on Tuesday for a five-day goodwill visit, receiving an enthusiastic reception from schoolchildren waving the Indian tricolour. The visit marks a significant step in strengthening defence, security, and maritime cooperation between India and Kuwait.

In a statement, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait said the visit represents “another milestone in India-Kuwait defence and security relations and maritime cooperation under our growing Strategic Partnership,” highlighting both nations’ shared commitment to regional stability.

The warm welcome for ICGS Sarthak comes amid continuous efforts by India and Kuwait to deepen bilateral ties. In August, the seventh round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi saw officials review ongoing initiatives and explore new avenues for cooperation across political, economic, defence, energy, cultural, and people-to-people domains.

The consultations were co-chaired by Aseem Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the MEA, and Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat, Kuwait’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia Affairs. Both sides agreed to advance the roadmap established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark 2024 visit to Kuwait, which elevated the relationship to a Strategic Partnership.

India and Kuwait share longstanding historical ties, with India being one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kuwait after its independence in 1961. Bilateral trade stood at USD 10.2 billion in FY 2024–25, and Kuwait hosts over one million Indians, one of the largest expatriate communities in the Gulf.

The visit of ICGS Sarthak reinforces growing maritime collaboration and reflects the countries’ increasing strategic alignment in the Gulf region.