India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar paid a three-day visit to Kuwait from June 9 to 11, 2021 & Kenya from June 12 to 14, 2021.
Kuwait visit
EAM Jaishankar visited Kuwait at the invitation of Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, State of Kuwait.
- It is Jaishankar’s 1st visit to Kuwait as EAM. Both sides discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional developments & global issues.
- They held discussions on topics like food security, cybersecurity, cooperation in the energy sector, and issues related to the Indian workforce in Kuwait.
MoU for Cooperation on recruitment of domestic workers
India & Kuwait have signed an MoU which will bring Indian domestic workers to Kuwait under the ambit of a legal framework.It was signed by Indian Ambassador Sibi George and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Majdi Ahmad Al-Dhafiri.
ii.The MoU will help in,
- Streamlining the recruitment and providing the workers the protection of the law.
- It will introduce an employment contract ensuring the rights and obligations of both the employer and the domestic workers.
- It aims to establish a mechanism for 24-hour assistance to domestic workers and provides a joint committee for review, assessment, and implementation of the MoU.
Key Points
i.2021-22 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India & Kuwait.
ii. Both sides agreed to hold the 1st India-Kuwait Joint Commission meeting in the later part of 2021.
iii. EAM Jaishankar chaired a round-table conference of Indian ambassadors in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Iran. It is a political and economic alliance of 6 countries – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.
Kenya Visit
EAM Jaishankar paid a three-day visit to Kenya. He visited Kenya at the invitation of the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Raychelle Omamo.
3rd India-Kenya Joint Commission Meeting
During the visit, EAM Jaishankar co-chaired the 3rd India-Kenya Joint Commission meeting along with Raychelle Omamo, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Kenya.
- During the meeting, they reviewed all aspects of the bilateral relationship.
- The 2nd Joint Commission meeting was held in New Delhi in March 2019, and the 4th Joint Commission meeting is also scheduled to be held in India.
Inauguration of renovated Mahatma Gandhi Library in Kenya
EAM inaugurated the renovated Mahatma Gandhi Library at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. India had provided financial support for the renovation of the Library.
India-Kenya Bilateral Relationship
- Both sides agreed to expand bilateral cooperation under the Kenya-India Joint Commission Framework.
- They agreed to enhance partnership in the areas of Health, Environment, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Tourism, Higher Education, Automotive, Defence and Security.
- Persons of Indian origin presently number around 80, 000 including an estimated 20, 000 Indian citizens.
- India is one of Kenya’s leading sources of FDI. Kenya has welcomed further investments from India in manufacturing, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, automobile, and affordable housing.
Recent Related News:
March 19, 2021, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah paid a 2-day visit to India from March 17-18, 2021 at the invitation of Dr S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India.
About Kuwait
Emir – Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Capital – Kuwait City
Currency – Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
About Kenya
President – Uhuru Kenyatta
Capital – Nairobi
Currency – Kenyan Shilling (KES)
