An all-party delegation from India, led by Member of Parliament Baijayant Panda, concluded a two-day visit to Kuwait aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and reinforcing India’s unified approach against terrorism.
Kuwait was the second stop in the delegation’s four-nation diplomatic outreach following a visit to Bahrain. The visit comes in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which the Indian side described as a deliberate attempt to disrupt peace and development. Kuwait was among the first countries in the region to condemn the attack, with official messages of condolence sent by His Highness the Amir, the Crown Prince, and the Prime Minister of Kuwait to India’s President and Prime Minister. Kuwait’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, also spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to express solidarity.
During the visit, the delegation held a substantive meeting with Sherida Abdullah Saad Al-Maousherji, Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs. The Indian side outlined its policy of ‘Zero Tolerance’ and the ‘New Normal’ approach to counter-terrorism, which does not distinguish between terrorists and their supporters. The Deputy Prime Minister welcomed India’s perspective and reiterated Kuwait’s position that terrorism has no justification. Both sides affirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms.
The delegation also met with representatives of leading Kuwaiti media outlets and members of the Indian regional media based in Kuwait. MP Panda highlighted the strategic nature of the India-Kuwait partnership, touching on high-level engagements, growing trade and investment, cultural linkages, and the contributions of the Indian diaspora. He emphasized that counter-terrorism cooperation is a critical pillar of the bilateral relationship.
In a special Diwaniya-style dialogue co-hosted with Kuwait-based think tank Reconnaissance Research, the delegation engaged with members of Kuwaiti civil society, including royal family members, former ministers, senior editors, academics, and opinion leaders. Discussions centered on the evolving security situation in the Indian subcontinent and India’s counter-terrorism posture. Participants unanimously agreed that terrorism must be opposed through collective action.
The delegation also visited the exhibition Rihla-e-Dosti: 250 Years of India-Kuwait Friendship at the National Library of Kuwait. The exhibit showcased rare manuscripts, coins, books, and cultural artefacts reflecting the enduring historical and cultural bonds between the two nations.Interacting with the Indian community in Kuwait, the delegation conveyed India’s national consensus on combating terrorism. India’s response to the Pahalgam incident, including Operation Sindoor, was well-received and garnered strong support from the diaspora.
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