India and Kuwait Agree to Strengthen Defence Cooperation

India and Kuwait have agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation across several military sectors. The decision was made during the first meeting of the two countries’ Joint Defence Committee in New Delhi on Friday (August 28).

According to Gulf News, the two sides discussed expanding cooperation in military training, joint exercises, military medicine, staff talks, defence industry, research and development.

India’s Ministry of Defence said a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation was signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait in 2024. The first Joint Defence Committee meeting is seen as an important step toward implementing that agreement.

The meeting was jointly chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary at India’s Ministry of Defence, and Kuwaiti delegation head Brigadier General Raed Al-Sakran. Representatives from India’s three armed forces, defence production sector, Defence Research and Development Organisation, armed forces medical services and Ministry of External Affairs attended the meeting.

Before the meeting, Brigadier General Raed Al-Sakran laid a wreath at India’s National War Memorial in New Delhi to honour Indian soldiers who died in service.

India and Kuwait have maintained traditionally friendly relations, with their strategic ties gaining further momentum following Modi’s visit to Kuwait in 2024.