Why in News?
The inaugural India-Kuwait Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting was held in New Delhi on 28 August 2026. Both countries agreed to expand defence cooperation in areas such as military training, exercises, military medicine, defence industry and R&D.
Key Highlights
- This was the first meeting of the India-Kuwait JDC.
- The meeting aimed to implement the objectives of the India-Kuwait MoU on Defence Cooperation, signed during the Prime Minister’s visit to Kuwait in December 2024.
- The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in: Military training and exercises, Staff talks, Military medicine, Defence industry and Research and Development (R&D)
- The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence, and Brigadier General Raed Alsakran of Kuwait.
- The Indian delegation included representatives from the three Armed Forces, DRDO, Department of Defence Production, Armed Forces Medical Services and Ministry of External Affairs.
- The Kuwaiti delegation also held discussions with representatives of the Indian defence industry to explore areas of cooperation.
- Before the meeting, Brigadier General Raed Alsakran paid tribute to Indian soldiers at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
India-Kuwait Relations
- Diplomatic relations: Established in 1962.
- The relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in December 2024.
- India and Kuwait share strong ties based on geographical proximity, historical trade, cultural links and the presence of a large Indian community in Kuwait.