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.

The Congress on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his colleagues aggressively criticised Indira Gandhi regarding the 42nd Amendment, yet failed to acknowledge that she, along with other Congress MPs, supported the 44th Amendment, which eliminated several provisions from the 42nd Amendment.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the PM’s remarks overlooked the fact that many provisions from the 42nd Amendment have remained intact since its enactment nearly fifty years ago.

In his statement on X, Ramesh emphasised, “During the discussion on the Constitution, the PM and his colleagues mounted a furious attack on Indira Gandhi for the 42nd Amendment that was passed by Parliament in December 1976.” He added that Indira Gandhi participated in the passage of the 44th Amendment in December 1978 while Morarji Desai was Prime Minister.

Notably, the 42nd Amendment incorporated the words “socialist” and “secular” into the Preamble of the Constitution, transforming the description of India from a “sovereign, democratic republic” to a “sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic.”

Ramesh pointed out that while the 44th Amendment removed some provisions of the 42nd Amendment, many elements from it were retained over the years.

He highlighted that the Supreme Court has recently affirmed that the terms “socialist” and “secular” in the Preamble are fundamental to the Constitution’s structure. Ramesh specified retained provisions, including Article 39-A, which ensures equal justice and free legal aid, and Article 43-A, which promotes worker participation in industry management.

Further retained articles mentioned by Ramesh include Article 48-A, which safeguards the environment and wildlife, and Article 51-A, which enumerates the fundamental duties of citizens. Articles 323-A and 323-B provide frameworks for administrative and other tribunals. Additionally, the inclusion of education, population planning, environment, and forests in the Seventh Schedule, designated as the Concurrent list affecting both Union and State governments, has also been maintained.

Earlier this month, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha engaged in a two-day debate commemorating the “Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India,” which witnessed intense exchanges between the ruling and opposition parties.

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.