Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday engaged in extensive discussions with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, aiming to revitalize India-Kuwait relations, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, and energy.

PM Modi’s visit to Kuwait marks a significant occasion as it is the first by an Indian prime minister in 43 years, having arrived for a two-day trip on Saturday. Additionally, he is scheduled to meet Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah.

The discussions are expected to strengthen cooperation across various key sectors, including defence and trade, as indicated by officials prior to the meetings. During his stay, PM Modi addressed an event for the Indian community and visited a local labour camp, acknowledging the significance of the Indian diaspora, which constitutes the largest expatriate group in Kuwait.

Kuwait stands as one of India’s principal trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching an impressive $10.47 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24. Upon his arrival, Prime Minister Modi received a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the Bayan Palace, as noted by Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on social media.

This trip to Kuwait, at the invitation of Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, marks the first time in 43 years that an Indian Prime Minister has visited this Gulf nation.

“It takes just four hours to fly from India to Kuwait, but it has taken four decades for an Indian Prime Minister to come here,” PM Modi remarked during his address to the Indian community.

Welcoming attendees ahead of a series of upcoming festivals, he noted, “You have all gathered here from various parts of India, and it truly feels like a mini India has come together.”

He praised the contributions of the Indian community, saying, “Every year, hundreds of Indians arrive in Kuwait; you have added an Indian essence to Kuwaiti society, filling its canvas with the colors of Indian skills, complemented by our rich traditions, technology, and talent.” He reiterated India’s readiness to support the development of ‘New Kuwait’ with its skilled workforce and advanced technology.

During an interview, PM Modi expressed India’s commitment to assisting in the restoration of peace in Gaza and Ukraine, emphasizing that solutions must be reached through dialogue rather than conflict.

He highlighted the necessity for sincere and constructive engagement among stakeholders to bridge differences and achieve negotiated resolutions. He also reaffirmed India’s backing for a two-state solution to create a sovereign and independent Palestine with recognized borders.

Modi emphasized the profound and historic ties between India and Kuwait, noting that the two countries are on the cusp of transforming their traditional buyer-seller relationship into a strategic partnership by exploring new opportunities throughout the oil and gas value chain. As Kuwait serves as India’s sixth-largest crude supplier and fourth-largest LPG supplier, he mentioned, “The potential for further collaboration is vast, especially as India becomes the third-largest global consumer of energy, oil, and LPG.” He highlighted that Kuwait holds about 6.5% of global oil reserves.

He identified the petrochemical sector as another area ripe for collaboration, projecting that India’s rapidly expanding petrochemical industry will reach $300 billion by 2025. Modi remarked that the energy partnership is not just a cornerstone of economic relations but also a catalyst for diversified and sustainable growth, paving the way for mutual prosperity.

Kuwait on Sunday awarded its highest distinction, ‘The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer’, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recognition of his efforts to enhance the bilateral relations between India and Kuwait. The honour was presented by Kuwait’s Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, at the Bayan Palace.

In a statement on X, Modi expressed, “I am honoured to be conferred the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Order by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait. I dedicate this honour to the people of India and to the strong friendship between India and Kuwait.”

The ‘Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer’ is a prestigious knighthood order in Kuwait. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal characterized the award as “a testament to the long-standing India-Kuwait friendship,” adding that Modi dedicated the honour to the ties between the two nations, the Indian community in Kuwait, and to the 1.4 billion people of India.

This award marks the 20th international honour conferred upon Prime Minister Modi by a foreign country, according to officials. The order is traditionally bestowed upon Heads of State, foreign sovereigns, and members of foreign royal families as a symbol of friendship. Previous recipients include notable leaders such as Bill Clinton, Prince Charles, and George Bush.

Modi’s visit to Kuwait, which began on Saturday, is notable as the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years. Upon his arrival, he was welcomed with a ceremonial reception and a Guard of Honour at the Bayan Palace.

Additionally, Prime Minister Modi has previously received accolades from other Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain. In November, he received top awards from Guyana and Dominica for his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and for strengthening bilateral relations with those Caribbean countries.

Furthermore, Nigeria honored him with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger for his statesmanship and significant contributions to fostering bilateral ties, making him the second foreign dignitary to receive that distinction.

A total of 416 individuals were arrested during the third phase of the crackdown on child marriage in Assam, as stated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday.

This phase of the operation commenced on the night of December 21-22. The police have filed 335 cases, and those arrested are set to be presented in court on Sunday.

“Assam continues its fight against child marriage. In Phase 3 operations launched on the night of Dec 21-22, 416 arrests were made and 335 cases registered. The arrested individuals will be produced in court today. We will continue to take bold steps to end this social evil,” the chief minister stated on X.

The state government previously initiated a campaign against child marriage in two phases in February and October 2023. During the first phase in February, 3,483 arrests were made along with 4,515 cases registered, while the second phase in October saw 915 arrests and 710 cases filed.

In October, Sarma announced that his government is committed to eradicating child marriage in Assam by 2026. This declaration coincided with the disbursement of the first installment under the Mukha Mantri Nijut Moina scheme, which provides girls with fixed monthly payments to support their pursuit of higher education, contingent upon their remaining unmarried until they complete their degrees.

The scheme, with a total projected budget of Rs 1,500 crore, aims to benefit 10 lakh female students by transferring financial support to their accounts. The first installment, designated for 1.6 lakh identified students, was issued in alignment with the Navratri festival, with payments scheduled to be credited on the 11th of each month starting from November.

Chief Minister Sarma outlined clear guidelines for beneficiaries, stating that they must regularly attend classes, achieve satisfactory academic performance, and adhere to discipline. Importantly, the scheme excludes the daughters of Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Members of the Legislative Assembly, and it mandates that beneficiaries must not marry before completing their graduation.

He further noted that the government’s initiative against child marriage has contributed to notable improvements in maternal and infant mortality rates in the state. The Nijut Moina scheme seeks to bolster efforts against child marriage by alleviating the financial strain on the families of girls aspiring for higher education.

Under this scheme, the monthly stipend varies based on educational level, with girls in Class XII receiving Rs 1,000, those in their first year of graduation receiving Rs 1,250, and postgraduate students receiving RS 2,500, all for a duration of ten months. However, there are no restrictions on marriage for girls enrolled in postgraduate programs.