Kuwait Surprises Pakistan, Visits India a Day After Defence Deal; Joint Military Exercise in the Works

New Delhi: A day after signing the defence agreement with Pakistan, Kuwait has also taken steps towards increasing defence cooperation with India. The first Joint Defence Committee meeting between India and Kuwait was held in New Delhi. In this, issues related to military training, joint exercises, military medicine and defence industry between the two countries were discussed.

What happened in the first Joint Defence Committee meeting between India and Kuwait?

This meeting held on August 28 is being considered important from the point of view of defence relations between the two countries. The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, joint secretary, Indian Defence Ministry, and Brigadier General Raed Alsakaran from Kuwait's side. The Indian delegation included officials from the Army, Air Force and Navy, besides officials from the Department of Defence Production, DRDO, Armed Forces Medical Services and the Ministry of External Affairs. 

What are the preparations for joint exercises?

In the meeting, discussions were held to pursue joint military exercises and training between the armies of the two countries. Along with this, emphasis was also laid on increasing staff talks and exchanges between military experts. However, the official information available has not announced the date or location of any specific exercise.  

Will partnership increase in the defence industry also?

India and Kuwait also agreed to increase cooperation in the field of the defence industry and research and development. The Kuwaiti delegation held talks on possible cooperation with representatives of Indian establishments and companies involved in the defence sector in New Delhi. This may open avenues for future defence equipment, technology and industrial partnerships. 

Why did India reach Kuwait a day after the agreement with Pakistan?

Kuwait and Pakistan had signed ‘Protocol Agreement-2026’ in Rawalpindi on 27 August. This agreement is an extension of the defence cooperation agreement signed in 2023. Under this, there is a provision for cooperation in military training, capacity building, border management and other defence areas. The agreement was signed by Kuwaiti Defence Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Sabah and Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

Is Kuwait balancing between India and Pakistan?

Defence level talks with India and Pakistan for two consecutive days are being seen as Kuwait's balanced diplomacy. The scope of cooperation with India spans military training, exercises, military medicine, defence industry and R&D, while the recent agreement with Pakistan focuses on areas such as training, capacity building and border management. In the available statements, the India-Kuwait agreement has not been presented as a strategic move against Pakistan. 

How old are India-Kuwait relations?

Diplomatic relations between India and Kuwait were established in 1962. Relations between the two countries have long been strong due to trade, energy, people-to-people contacts and the large Indian community living in Kuwait. Relations between the two countries were elevated to the level of strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kuwait in December 2024. During this visit, an MoU on defence cooperation was also signed.  

What will happen next now?

After the first Joint Defence Committee meeting, the process of implementing cooperation between the two countries in the decided areas will move forward. Regular interactions in military training, joint exercises, medical cooperation, defence industry and technical sectors are expected to give a new framework to India-Kuwait defence relations. Kuwait's increased defence cooperation with both India and Pakistan also reflects its multi-pronged strategy amid the changing security equations in West Asia.