Arabian Times invites readers on a journey through the lens of His Excellency, Emad Abdulaziz Al Kharaz, Consul General of the State of Kuwait in Mumbai, offering a unique perspective on India’s distinctive reputation as a nation for its warm hospitality and as a global meeting place. In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Mohammad Tarique Saleem, Managing Editor, the Consul General reflects on his experiences, highlighting the cultural richness, diversity, and the exceptional spirit of hospitality that defines India. As a seasoned diplomat immersed in the heart of Mumbai, the Consul General shares profound insights, emphasizing the enduring ties between Kuwait and India, delving into their historic trade relations, the dynamic role of Kuwait in India’s present, and the promising future that lies ahead.
Q. Arabian Times would like you to share with its world-wide readers your impressions of India as a nation known for hospitality and meeting place for the world’s citizen ?
A. As the Counsel General of the State of Kuwait in Mumbai for over a year now, I have been deeply impressed by India’s reputation as a nation known for hospitality and a meeting place for the world’s citizens. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the warmth and friendliness of the Indian people. I have been welcomed into homes, businesses, and communities with open arms. I have been invited to share meals, celebrate festivals, and learn about Indian culture.
I have also been impressed by India’s diversity. India is a land of many languages, religions, and cultures. Yet, despite its diversity, India is united by a common thread of hospitality and respect for all. India is also a meeting place for the world’s citizens. People from all over the world come to India to live, work, study, and travel. India is a place where people from different backgrounds can come together to share ideas and learn from each other.
I believe that India’s hospitality and diversity are two of its greatest strengths. These qualities make India a special place to live and visit. India is a land of great history and hospitality and it continues to thrill the world with new technologies in the field of tourism & hospitality, and I truly believe it will continue to do the same for centuries. The culture of heartfelt hospitality is one of the most significant characteristics of India. People in India pay highest regards to their guests and value hospitality, and this is what distinguishes them most from the rest of the world in my opinion. I am grateful for the opportunity to live and work in India. It is a country with a rich culture and a warm and welcoming people. I highly recommend India to anyone looking for a truly unique and rewarding experience.
Q Kuwait has an historic place in the heart of India for not only trade and commerce but most important for Indians, professionals and non-professionals going those for jobs, better education and security. What is the latest position ?
A. Historically, India-Kuwait relations have always had an important trade dimension. India has consistently been amongst the top ten trading partners of Kuwait. We have a historic relationship with India extended more than six decades, and the two countries always shared close ties in trade, commerce, and people-to-people relations. Kuwait is a major trading partner of India, and the two countries have a bilateral trade agreement in place. India exports a variety of goods to Kuwait, including engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food items, while Kuwait is considered a major source of oil imports for India.
My country is a popular destination for Indian professionals and non-professionals alike. There are a large number of Indians working in Kuwait in a variety of sectors, including healthcare, engineering, IT, and construction. There are over a million Indians living and working in Kuwait right now, making them the largest expatriate community in the country. Indian professionals are particularly sought-after in fields such as engineering, medicine, education, and IT.
With regard to security, Kuwait is very safe and secure country for Indians to live and work in. The Kuwaiti government is committed to the safety and security of all its residents, and Indians have been welcomed and treated with respect in Kuwait. In the latest position of the relationship between Kuwait and India, it continues to grow stronger with the passage of time. The two countries have regular high-level visits and exchanges, and there is a strong commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on promoting cooperation in new areas, such as renewable energy, cybersecurity, and innovation.
The two countries are also working together to address regional and global challenges, such as terrorism and climate change. The Kuwaiti government is also committed to attracting more Indian investment and talent. Kuwait government recently launched a new investment promotion strategy that is specifically targeting Indian investors. The strategy aims to attract Indian investment in a variety of sectors, including infrastructure, manufacturing, and tourism. Overall, the relationship between Kuwait and India is very strong and is continuing to grow stronger and establishing strategic alignment.
Q. Could you tell us about your priorities and goals as the Consul General for Kuwait in India, particularly in the Mumbai region?
My top priorities as Consul General for Kuwait in Mumbai, are to :
- Strengthening the relationship between Kuwait and India by building a strong foundation of the Kuwait-India relationship and promoting cooperation in all areas, including trade, investment, culture, and education.
- Promoting economic ties between Kuwait and India through encouraging Kuwaiti businesses to invest in India and Indian businesses to invest in Kuwait. I also want to promote escalating trade between the two countries.
- Giving support to the Indian community in Kuwait, and try to help facilitate services to them in Kuwait, to help their integration into Kuwaiti society.
- Developing the workflow of the consulate to facilitate visa issuance procedures in accordance with modern technology, and to speed up and facilitate communication procedures between Kuwaiti and Indian citizens.
- Promote cultural understanding between Kuwait and India, and encourage people from both countries to learn more about each other’s cultures.
- Increase the number of Kuwaiti tourists visiting India by promoting Indian tourism in Kuwait and working with Indian tour operators to develop packages that are tailored to the needs of Kuwaiti tourists.
- Increase the number of Kuwaiti students studying in India by facilitating channels between Kuwait Ministry of High Education with Indian universities to develop program certificates that are relevant to the needs of the Kuwaiti economy and by providing scholarships to Kuwaiti students to study in India.
- I believe that these goals are achievable and that they will help to strengthen the relationship between Kuwait and India, and promote cooperation in all areas. I am committed to working with the governments of Kuwait and India, as well as with the private sector, to achieve these goals.
Q. Kuwait and India have a history of cordial ties. Tell us about the present ties ?
Kuwait and India have a history of cordial ties dating back centuries. The two countries share cultural, economic, and political ties. The present ties between Kuwait and India are very strong. Kuwait is one of India’s top trading partners, and there is a large Indian community living and working in Kuwait. The two countries also cooperate closely on a range of issues, including security, counter-terrorism, and energy.
Kuwait is India’s 10th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totalling over US$ 6 billion in 2022-23. India exports a variety of products to Kuwait, while Kuwait exports mainly oil and gas to India. Kuwait has invested heavily in India, with cumulative FDI inflows from Kuwait to India amounting to US$ 10.1 billion as of March 2023. Kuwait in its own unique manner developed strategic partnerships and engaged in mutually beneficial business practices with countries far and wide, principal among them being India.
Kuwait currently firmly opines that India is great investment destination: As India remains the fastest-growing major economy of the world, Kuwait has acknowledged country’s growing global footprint, days after IMF dubbed called India a “bright spot” of global economy. Kuwait is deepening bilateral relations as well as increasing trade relations. India has become a great destination for investment and a big economic player in the global world.
Overall, the present ties between Kuwait and India are very strong. The two countries are close partners in a range of areas, including trade, investment, people-to-people ties, and security. I believe that the relationship between Kuwait and India will continue to grow stronger in the years to come. The two countries have a shared interest in promoting peace and stability in the region and in working together to address the challenges of the 21st century.
Q. How is Kuwait bearing the changes worldwide, the Israel-Palestinian crisis ?
A. Kuwait strongly condemned the Israeli war on the Palestinian people, we see it as a “flagrant violation of international law and human rights.” Kuwait has affirmed its full support for the Palestinian people in their quest to achieve their legitimate rights, including their right to self-determination and establishing their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Kuwait also loudly expressed its deep concern about the Israeli military escalation, and called on the international community to take immediate measures to stop the aggression and repetition of war crimes carried out by Israel against Palestinian civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The following are some of Kuwait’s official statements regarding the Israeli war on the Palestinian people:
- Statement by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “The State of Kuwait strongly condemns the brutal Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, and considers it a blatant violation of international law and human rights.”
- Statement by the Prime Minister of Kuwait: “Kuwait affirms its full support for the Palestinian people in their quest to achieve their legitimate rights, including their right to self-determination and establishing their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
- Statement by the Kuwaiti National Assembly: “The National Assembly calls on the Kuwaiti government to take all necessary measures to support the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle.”
Most of Kuwaiti people has also repeatedly expressed their condemnation and denunciation of the war crimes committed by the Israeli army on a daily basis. The atrocities and horrific images we see on a daily basis on social media cannot be tolerated by anyone with a semblance of humanity. Kuwait has historically, and will always continue, supporting the Palestinian people in their quest to obtain their rights and just demands, and we will continue our support until those goals are achieved.
Kuwait has officially announced several times that it will be the last Islamic–Arab country to recognize Israel as a state, after granting the Palestinian people all their legitimate rights that were recognized and confirmed by the international community. This has been a long-standing pillar of Kuwait’s regional policy, and it has no intention of changing it.
Q. In what ways is Kuwait collaborating with India in the areas of education, healthcare, and technology, and what impact do you foresee from these collaborations ?
A. I am pleased to share that Kuwait and India are collaborating in a number of ways in the areas of education, healthcare, and technology. Regarding education, Kuwait and India have signed a number of agreements to promote cooperation in education, including the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Education and Higher Education (2017) and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Vocational Education and Training (2019). Under these agreements, Kuwait and India are collaborating in the areas of: exchange of students and faculty, joint research and development projects, and sharing of best practices and expertise.
Regarding healthcare, Kuwait and India have a long history of cooperation in the field of healthcare. Kuwait has been sending patients to India for treatment for many years. In recent years, Kuwait and India have signed a number of agreements to promote cooperation in healthcare, including the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Health (2015) and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Medical Research (2018). Under these agreements, Kuwait and India are collaborating in the areas of: exchange of medical professionals, joint research and development projects, and sharing of best practices and expertise.
For technology, Kuwait and India are collaborating in a number of areas, including information technology, renewable energy, and space technology, and that includes cooperation in: the development of software and hardware, provision of IT services, development of renewable energy technologies, deployment of renewable energy projects, satellite development, and remote sensing applications.
The collaborations between Kuwait and India in the areas of education, healthcare, and technology are having a positive impact on both countries, and I believe this cooperation will continue to have this positive impact and grow stronger in the years to come.
Q. Given the global energy transition, how is Kuwait adapting to the changing dynamics in the energy sector, and what role do you see for India in this transition ?
A. Kuwait is adapting to the changing dynamics in the energy sector by focusing on developing renewable energy sources. Kuwait has set a target of generating 25% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The country is investing in solar and wind power, and is also exploring other renewable energy sources such as geothermal and hydrogen.
Kuwait government is taking steps to improve energy efficiency in all sectors of the economy, including buildings, industry, and transportation. The country is also promoting the use of energy-efficient appliances and technologies. We are also working to diversify our economy away from oil and gas. The country is investing in new sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, and financial services.
India can play a significant role in Kuwait’s energy transition. India is a leader in renewable energy development, and has expertise in energy efficiency and other areas. Indian companies can partner with Kuwaiti companies to develop and deploy renewable energy projects, and to improve energy efficiency in Kuwait.
I believe that the collaboration between Kuwait and India in the energy sector will be mutually beneficial. Kuwait can benefit from India’s expertise in renewable energy development, energy efficiency, and new energy technologies. India can benefit from Kuwait’s investment in renewable energy projects and its commitment to energy transition.
Q. Kuwait has achieved much over the decades, beyond its borders, far above its size and geographical features. How do you see the years ahead for Kuwait ?
A. I am proud to say that Kuwait has achieved much over the decades, beyond its borders, and far above its size and geographical features. Kuwait has a long history of humanitarian assistance and development cooperation. Since the 1960s, Kuwait has provided billions of dollars in assistance to countries around the world, regardless of their religion, race, or ethnicity. Kuwait’s assistance has helped to build schools, hospitals, roads, and other essential infrastructure in developing countries. It has also helped to provide food, water, and shelter to refugees and victims of natural disasters.
In addition to its humanitarian assistance, Kuwait is also a major player in international development cooperation. We are member of the United Nations Development Program, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. We are also a major contributor to the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and the Islamic Development Bank.
Kuwait’s development assistance is focused on helping countries to achieve sustainable development. We support projects in a wide range of sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, water resources management, and renewable energy. Kuwait’s achievements beyond its borders are a testament to its commitment to helping others. Kuwait’s generosity and compassion have made a real difference in the lives of millions of people around the world.
I see the years ahead for Kuwait as very bright. Kuwait has a young and dynamic population, and it is rich in natural resources. We are also well-positioned to benefit from the growing global economy. The Kuwaiti government is investing heavily in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. It is also promoting economic diversification and private sector development.
I am confident that these investments will pay off in the years to come, and that Kuwait will continue to be a prosperous and stable country. I believe that Kuwait will continue to play a leading role in international development cooperation in the years to come. We are committed to helping others, and we have the resources and expertise to make a real difference in the world.
