Kuwait

The JCC would also oversee existing working groups in areas such as hydrocarbons, health, and consular matters

India and Kuwait on Wednesday decided to set up a joint commission for cooperation (JCC) at the foreign ministers' level, which will act as an umbrella mechanism to comprehensively review and monitor the entire gamut of bilateral ties, officials said. The decision was taken at a meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Kuwaiti counterpart Abudullah Ali Al Yahya, who arrived here on Tuesday as part of his first official visit to India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the two ministers reviewed the entire spectrum of India-Kuwait ties in diverse areas, including trade, investment, energy, food security and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, the ministry said in a statement. "The two ministers signed an MoU on establishing a joint commission for cooperation (JCC) at the level of foreign ministers," the MEA said. It said new joint working groups in the areas of trade, investment, .

Gulf Air flight engine fire: In the absence of transit visas, many India passengers were unable to step out of the airport premises and had to endure the long wait on the terminal floor

Out of Kuwait's total population of 4.2 million, approximately 21 per cent are Indian nationals, making up around 30 per cent of the country's workforce

Jaishankar commended their achievements and contributions to relations between India and Kuwait

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday called on the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, and sought his insights on taking the bilateral ties to a higher level. Jaishankar arrived here on Sunday on a day-long visit. He was received by his Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya on his arrival in the country. "Honoured to call on His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait. Conveyed the greetings of the President and Prime Minister. India and Kuwait share centuries-old bonds of goodwill and friendship. Our contemporary partnership is expanding steadily. Thank him for his guidance and insights on taking our ties to a higher level," Jaishankar said in a post on X. Jaishankar's visit will enable both sides to review various aspects of India-Kuwait bilateral relations including political, trade, investment, energy, security, cultural, consular and people-to-people contacts, as well as

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived here on Sunday on a day-long visit during which he will hold talks with the Kuwaiti leadership on various aspects of India-Kuwait bilateral relations. Jaishankar was received by his Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya on his arrival in the country. "Namaste Kuwait. Thank FM Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya for the warm welcome. Looking forward to my engagements today with the Kuwaiti leadership," Jaishankar posted on X. His visit will enable both sides to review various aspects of India-Kuwait bilateral relations including political, trade, investment, energy, security, cultural, consular and people-to-people contacts, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement ahead of the visit. The visit came nearly two months after 45 Indians had died in a devastating fire at a building in Kuwait. At least 49 foreign workers were killed and 50 others injured in

French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among the world leaders who greeted India's leadership and the people of India as the country celebrated its 78th Independence Day on Thursday. While most of the leaders from the South Asian neighbouring countries invoked enduring friendship rooted in history and strengthening of bilateral relations when they greeted their counterparts, presidents and prime ministers from other regions spoke about strategic ties and regional ethos. French President Macron, in his message on X said, he remembers the warm welcome during his visit to India in January and that he is looking forward to working with my friend @NarendraModi on achieving the ambitious goals we have set for our strategic partnership. Russian President Putin sent a message of greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of India's Independence Day. We attach great importance to the relations of a particularly .

Starting July 14, domestic workers can transfer their visas under specific conditions

Asserting that Indian culture is earning glory around the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday cited a host of developments to highlight increasing acceptance abroad of practices and products linked to the country. In his monthly Mann Ki Baat, Modi played a clip of a Hindi programme broadcast on Kuwait Radio. "The Kuwait government has started a special programme on its national radio. And that too in Hindi. It is broadcast every Sunday for half an hour on Kuwait Radio. It includes myriad shades of Indian culture. Our films and discussions related to the art world are very popular among the Indian community there," he said. He added that the local population in Kuwait was also taking a lot of interest and thanked its government and people for taking this "wonderful initiative". "Which Indian will not be happy with the way our culture is earning glory all over the world today! For example, in Turkmenistan, the 300th birth anniversary of its national poet was celebrated in M

UAE remains the largest hub, followed by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait

Kuwaiti Ambassador Meshal Mustafa Jasim Alshemali called on Jaishankar and discussed bilateral relations

Over a week after a devastating fire in Kuwait killed 50 people, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said 17 injured Indians are still admitted in hospitals there and all are stable. The Indian embassy is in touch with the local authorities, the patients and their kin to ensure their well-being, it said. The massive fire had occurred at a seven-storey building in Kuwait's Mangaf city in the southern Ahmadi Governorate on June 12 and at least 45 Indians died in the tragedy. The building was home to 196 migrant workers, mostly Indians. The NBTC Group, where the victims of the fire tragedy were employed, recently issued a statement, extending its deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and injured. In response to a query at a weekly media briefing here, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that on the part of the Kuwaiti government, the Emir has announced USD 15,000 as compensation for the families of the people who have died in the fire incident. The

Three Indians, four Egyptians and a Kuwaiti national have been detained in connection with the devastating fire that killed 50 people, including 46 Indians, in the southern Ahmadi Governorate in the Gulf Kingdom, a media report said on Wednesday. The massive fire which occurred at a six-storey building in the city of Mangaf on July 12 was caused by an electrical short circuit in the guard's room on the ground floor. The building was home to 196 migrant workers, mostly Indians. "The Public Prosecution has ordered the detention of a Kuwaiti national, three Indian nationals, and four Egyptian nationals for two weeks in connection with the Al-Mangaf building fire case," English language daily Arab Times reported without identifying their names. The defendants have been charged with manslaughter and negligence, it said. On the orders of the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the victims' families will receive compensation amounting to USD 15,000 each (Rs 12.5 lakh

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising the issue of denial of political clearance to state Health Minister Veena George to travel to Kuwait to coordinate relief efforts following the fire incident in the Gulf nation. The CM in his letter (dated June 15) has claimed that denial of the clearance "goes against the principles of cooperative federalism" and requested the prime minister to advise the External Affairs Ministry (EAM) to be "more responsive" in future to such requests. Vijayan has said in the letter (made public on Wednesday), that it was "extremely unfortunate" that there was no response from the EAM to the request for political clearance and as a result George could not travel to Kuwait. "Her presence in Kuwait would have helped substantially in liaisoning with the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, the team of officials and the Embassy. This could have provided mental relief and confidence to the families of .

The Kuwaiti government will give USD 15,000 each to the families of the victims of the devastating fire that killed 50 people, including 46 Indians, in the southern Ahmadi Governorate, according to a media report on Tuesday. The massive fire which occurred at a seven-storey building in the city of Mangaf on July 12 was caused by an electrical short circuit in the guard's room on the structure's ground floor, according to Kuwaiti authorities. The building was home to 196 migrant workers, mostly Indians. On the orders of the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the victims' families will receive compensation amounting to USD 15,000 each, the Arab Times newspaper reported. Citing government sources, the newspaper said the compensation payments will be processed and delivered to the victims' embassies. Three other deceased were Filipinos, and the identity of one of the victims has not been established. The concerned embassies will then ensure that the funds are .

Several foreign nationals, especially bachelors, were abruptly evicted from their homes in Kuwait after authorities enforced building code violations and cut off electricity supply to three properties in the Bnied Al-Gar area, according to a media report on Monday. The development came days after 50 people, including 46 Indians, died in a massive building fire which Kuwaiti authorities said was due to an electrical short circuit in the room of the guard on the ground floor of the structure. Several bachelor expats in Bnied Al-Gar were abruptly evicted and left on the streets after authorities enforced building code violations. Officials cut off electricity and water supplies to three buildings during the scorching summer, where temperatures in Kuwait exceed 45 degrees Celsius, intensifying the residents' distress, the Arab Times newspaper reported. The eviction followed a crackdown on properties that failed to meet local regulations. Officials cited serious violations that posed ...

K G Abraham, MD of Kuwait-based NBTC Group, whose workers died in the fire accident in one of its accommodations in the Gulf nation, on Saturday said the incident was unfortunate, and the company will take care of the victims' families. Addressing the media here after three days of the tragic fire that killed 49 people, Abraham became emotional and said "we are so sorry". "We are so sorry. We are so sorry. I was crying in my house. I know most of them. There were people working with us for more than 27 years. What happened was really unfortunate," he said. Abraham said that his company directors and managers are currently visiting each and every family member of the deceased and are expressing their grief. "This was not any mistake on our part, but still we will take responsibility. They were living and working with us. They built the company. They are our family," Abraham said. He said discussions were going on with the Embassies for the process of disbursing the compensation. "

Kuwaiti authorities launch crackdown on illegal property extensions after Mangaf fire

An IAF aircraft carrying the bodies of 14 of the 45 Indians who died in a devastating fire at a building in Kuwait is expected to land shortly in Delhi from Kerala's Kochi, newly elected MP Yogender Chandolia said on Friday. A C130J aircraft carrying the bodies of 45 Indians, who died in the incident two days ago in Kuwait's Mangaf, landed at the Kochi international airport around 10.30 am. Thirty-one bodies were received at the Kochi airport by Central and state ministers, including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The remaining 14 bodies were sent to Delhi in the same aircraft as a domestic flight from Kochi, airport authorities said. "Kamaljeet Sehrawat ji, Bansuri Swaraj ji (both MPs from Delhi) and I will be there at the Palam technical area when the bodies arrive. We will offer tributes to them by laying wreaths on the caskets. The flight is expected to land very shortly," Chandolia, the MP from Northwest Delhi, told PTI. The special IAF aircraft had taken off for Koch