Our Chief Guest Your Excellency Brig General Hazza Al Alati, Commander of Kuwait Navy, Captain Ravi Kumar, Excellencies, our friends from Kuwait, our friends from the Media, Distinguished Guests and ladies and gentlemen, Good Evening.

It is a matter of great pleasure for me to welcome you all to this evening reception on board Indian Naval Ship INS TEG. I am happy that this important ship visit to Kuwait is taking place during the year when we celebrate the 60^th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between and Kuwait and when we celebrate Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav, the 75^th year of India’s independence. This important ship visit is reflective of the growing bilateral partnership between India and Kuwait in all sectors, particularly in the field of defence cooperation.

Dear Friends,

India and Kuwait enjoy a very traditional and vibrant relationship. Over the years this engagement has become a long-standing dynamic partnership involving several stakeholders such as government agencies, business establishments, industry groups, universities, science and technology establishments, academicians, scholars, students, innovation and research organizations, and importantly our Indian community with its most vibrant people to people contacts. Every institution in Kuwait, every business and every enterprise here in Kuwait has some positive story of engagement with India to tell, which makes us all proud. Kuwait, which is part of India’s extended neighborhood, today is a key partner in our economic progress, particularly in energy security and healthcare.

Despite the many difficulties and challenges posed by Covid 19 pandemic, our relationship continued to grow in recent years. In fact, our bilateral cooperation in the fight against Covid 19 pandemic further strengthened our partnership. You would recall the dispatch of emergency medical team from India to Kuwait and then supply of Made in India Vaccines to Kuwait. We recall the supply of medical oxygen from Kuwait to India, which made Kuwait the largest supplier of medical oxygen to India. In this context I recall the visit of six Indian Naval Ships to Kuwait last year which further strengthened our bilateral cooperation.

Dear Friends,

Today morning I had a ceremonial visit to INS TEG. This ship has been deployed extensively for numerous missions including for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and has been providing maritime security in the region. The visit of INS TEG to Kuwait signifies Indian Navy’s commitment to establish cooperative partnership with friendly nations of the Indian ocean region and beyond to resolve maritime challenges together. I am so happy to see the significant achievements India has made in building a very strong Navy, which is contributing immensely in ensuring the safety, security and stability of the Indian ocean and beyond.

I am confident that in coming months we will have more ship visits and more bilateral engagement between our defense forces. Once again I welcome you all.

Thank you.