India and the European Union are close to concluding a long-delayed free trade agreement (FTA), with a formal announcement expected at the India–EU Summit in New Delhi on Tuesday, according to officials familiar with the talks.

If finalized, the agreement would mark a major strategic shift for both sides at a time of rising global protectionism and intensifying geopolitical uncertainty.

Once signed, the pact must be ratified by the European Parliament, a process expected to take at least a year. Recent resistance by EU lawmakers to other trade deals, including a challenge to the EU–South America pact, underscores the risk of political hurdles delaying approval, according to Reuters.

Investment protection and geographical indications (GIs) are being negotiated separately, narrowing the current deal’s scope to goods, services and trade rules.

The agreement could significantly boost Indian exports such as textiles, garments and jewelry, which have been under pressure since the United States imposed 50% tariffs on selected products last year.

For India, the pact would be its ninth trade agreement in four years, reinforcing New Delhi’s push to secure overseas markets as global trade barriers rise.

For the EU, the deal supports supply-chain diversification away from China and offers deeper access to India’s fast-growing $4.2 trillion economy, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic markets.

The EU is among India’s top trading partners, alongside the US and China. Total bilateral trade in goods and services exceeded $190 billion in 2024/25, with India exporting $76 billion in goods and $30 billion in services to the bloc.

While average EU tariffs on Indian goods are relatively low at 3.8%, labor-intensive sectors such as textiles and garments face duties of around 10%. The FTA would help restore competitiveness lost after the EU began withdrawing tariff preferences under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in 2023.

India is also seeking greater market access for IT services and improved mobility for its professionals.

EU exports face much higher barriers in India, with an average tariff of about 9.3% on goods worth $60.7 billion in 2024/25.
Tariffs are particularly steep on automobiles, auto parts, chemicals and plastics. Reductions would open opportunities in cars, machinery, aircraft and chemicals, while improving access to services, procurement and investment.

Key sticking points

Agriculture and dairy have been excluded from negotiations. India is resisting EU demands to eliminate tariffs on more than 95% of goods, signaling a ceiling closer to 90%.

Sensitive sectors such as automobiles, wine and spirits remain unresolved, with India favoring phased tariff cuts or limited quotas to protect domestic manufacturing.

India is seeking “data-secure” status under EU rules, easier movement of professionals and relief from double social security payments.

The EU, meanwhile, wants broader access to India’s financial and legal services, along with stronger commitments on labor rights, environmental standards and intellectual property.

Two major concerns for India remain the EU’s carbon border levy, which could dilute tariff benefits, and high non-tariff barriers, including regulatory delays, strict standards and certification costs.

Analysts say global trade shocks and geopolitical pressures have pushed both sides toward a pragmatic compromise. Whether the pact delivers balanced gains will depend on how carbon measures, services mobility and non-tariff barriers are ultimately resolved.

Kuwait’s health sector has recorded a rare global milestone, after a Kuwaiti medical team successfully performed a highly delicate interventional cardiology procedure on a 111-year-old patient — a first of its kind worldwide.

The advanced procedure was carried out by Dr. Ahmed Al-Shatti, Consultant Cardiologist and Head of the Cardiac Catheterization Unit at Al-Dabbous Center at the Al-Adan Hospital, along with Dr. Abdullah Ismail, Consultant Cardiologist and Head of the Cardiology Department at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital and a board member of the Kuwait Heart Association.

The team used the Evolute FX Plus valve, one of the most advanced and latest devices available globally, reports Al-Rai daily.

According to the medical team, the patient had been living a relatively normal daily life and was under regular medical follow-up.

However, his condition recently deteriorated significantly, leading to repeated hospital admissions due to severe aortic valve stenosis.

The condition caused sharp drops in blood pressure, fluid accumulation in the lungs, and severe shortness of breath, making urgent medical intervention unavoidable.

The team confirmed that the decision to proceed with the operation was based on the worsening clinical indicators and the increasing severity of symptoms, which posed a direct risk to the patient’s life.

Thanks to the team’s extensive expertise and high level of readiness, the procedure was completed successfully in record time, taking no more than 40 minutes, without any major complications.

Following the operation, the patient’s condition fully stabilized and he was able to resume his normal daily activities, highlighting the remarkable progress achieved by interventional cardiology services in Kuwait.

This landmark achievement reflects the Ministry of Health’s continued support for advancing healthcare services and adopting cutting-edge medical technologies.

It also underscores Kuwait’s commitment to delivering world-class healthcare in line with the highest international standards, reinforcing its position as a leading regional and international medical hub.

The Ministry of Interior has announced the relocation of the driving test building in the Capital Governorate to a new site in Shuwaikh, as part of a broader plan to enhance performance and improve the work environment.

Colonel Fahad Al-Essa, Director of the Traffic Awareness Department at the General Traffic Department, said the relocation will take effect on January 25, 2026.

He explained the new driving test facility is situated adjacent to the General Traffic Department building in Shuwaikh, within the Capital Governorate.

The move is intended to support the Ministry of Interior’s ongoing efforts to modernize traffic services, streamline procedures, and provide better services to the public.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to developing traffic infrastructure and upgrading service facilities in line with modern standards.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, has issued a ministerial decision approving comprehensive regulations to standardize the general appearance, official attire, and professional dress code for employees in both the governmental and private health sectors.

The decision forms part of the broader effort to complete the institutional governance framework within the health sector and to enhance professional standards regulating the work environment.

The regulations define clear guidelines for the appearance of administrative staff, as well as medical and nursing personnel of both genders, with the aim of promoting professionalism, discipline, and a unified institutional identity across healthcare facilities, reports Al-Rai daily.

General Appearance Standards

The decision sets out general and specific requirements for appearance within healthcare institutions, stressing the importance of personal hygiene and the avoidance of any odors that may disturb others or affect patients’ health.

This includes refraining from excessive use of perfumes, strong scents, and smoke-related odors. It also mandates that tattoos must be fully covered during official working hours and on-call shifts.

The dress code requires clothing to be appropriate to the nature of work, clean, tidy, modest, and respectful of public taste. Prohibited items include clothing bearing inappropriate slogans or advertisements, sportswear, shorts, garments above the knee, torn or punctured clothing, and athletic caps in all Ministry of Health facilities that provide direct services to patients and visitors.

Footwear must be formal, clean, and elegant, or sports shoes of a single color, free from bright colors and prominent logos.

Regulations for Healthcare Practitioners

Special regulations apply to medical, nursing, and clinical staff working in healthcare facilities:

Uniforms and Clothing — Healthcare practitioners must wear either formal attire or approved clinical uniforms, with or without a medical coat. The medical coat must be loose-fitting and knee-length. Wool jackets are permitted in blue or black, and the abaya may be worn with a medical coat. Wearing a dishdasha or jeans while providing direct patient care is prohibited.

Personal Grooming — Nails must be short and clean, and the use of artificial nails is strictly prohibited in all medical, clinical, therapeutic, rehabilitative, outpatient, operating, and intensive care areas. Hair must be clean, tidy, kept away from the face, and tied if it extends below the shoulders in patient-care environments. Grooming tools must be simple and of appropriate colors. Beards and mustaches for men must be neat and well-groomed.

Jewelry and Cosmetics — The wearing of excessive or inappropriate jewelry is prohibited. Only simple jewelry is permitted, limited to a wedding ring and small simple earrings in patient-care areas. Cosmetics must be used in a simple and unobtrusive manner consistent with professional standards and public taste.

Footwear in Clinical Settings — Shoes must be closed-toe, low-heeled, slip-resistant, and preferably waterproof and easy to clean. Open-toed footwear is prohibited in all clinical, medical, therapeutic, rehabilitative, outpatient, operating room, and intensive care environments.

Standardized Clinical Attire

The decision also sets detailed specifications for male and female clinical uniforms, as well as Islamic women’s clinical attire, covering shirt length, sleeve design, collar style, pocket placement, stitching quality, fabric type, fit, durability, ease of cleaning, and freedom of movement during patient care. All attire must be modest, non-revealing, practical, and consistent with professional and cultural standards.

Strategic Objectives

The regulations aim to achieve six core objectives:

• Enhancing institutional identity through a unified professional appearance reflecting discipline and ethical commitment.
• Ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, supporting infection prevention and risk reduction.
• Strengthening patient and visitor trust through professional presentation and service quality.
• Promoting professional belonging and reinforcing teamwork among healthcare staff.
• Unifying dress and appearance standards across government and private health institutions.
• Establishing a clear regulatory framework for compliance, monitoring, and governance enforcement.

The decision represents a major step toward strengthening organizational discipline in the healthcare sector and reinforcing Kuwait’s commitment to high professional, ethical, and service standards in public and private medical institutions.

Kuwait City ranked second among the most expensive Arab cities for purchasing residential apartments in 2026, according to the latest Numbeo index, despite a noticeable year-on-year decline in prices.

The report showed that the average price per square meter for apartments in the city center reached 1,633 dinars, reflecting a decrease of 10.9 percent compared to 2025, when prices stood at approximately 1,833 dinars per square meter.

Outside the city center, prices fell by 11.3 percent to 816.7 dinars per square meter, down from about 921 dinars a year earlier.

With regard to rental rates, data from a specialized real estate price index indicated that the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center stands at 258.33 dinars, compared to 188.5 dinars outside the central areas. For three-bedroom apartments, rents average 560.13 dinars per month in the city center and 405.55 dinars in areas outside the center.

Kuwait’s position as the second most expensive Arab city is attributed to a combination of structural and economic factors, most notably the limited supply of housing in central areas relative to steady demand.

Demand remains particularly strong for apartments located near business districts and service hubs, while high land prices in the city center continue to support elevated real estate values.

The rental data also reflects the resilience of demand in the Kuwaiti market, as central locations remain attractive to middle- and upper-income residents despite high costs.

At the same time, the widening price gap between city-center properties and those in surrounding areas points to a growing shift toward suburban and outlying regions as more affordable alternatives, a trend expected to stimulate real estate activity in those areas in the coming period.

Regionally, Dubai topped the list by a wide margin, with apartment prices in the city center reaching $7,172 per square meter, making it the most expensive Arab city for residential real estate investment.

Abu Dhabi ranked third at $4,923 per square meter, followed by Doha at $4,506, Baghdad at $3,834, and Beirut at $3,753. Riyadh came in seventh at $2,927, followed by Muscat at $2,661 and Manama at $2,627.

According to Numbeo data, Algiers ranked tenth at $2,297 per square meter, while Damascus, Rabat, Jeddah, Amman, and Tunis occupied middle positions. At the lower end of the scale, Aden recorded the lowest apartment prices among Arab cities at $90 per square meter, while prices reached $854 in Cairo and $722 in Alexandria.

The report highlights the wide disparity in real estate prices across Arab cities, driven by varying levels of economic stability, housing demand, and the quality of infrastructure, particularly in Gulf markets.

Minister of Health Dr Ahmed Al-Awadhi has issued a ministerial decision regulating the pricing mechanism for human medicines in the private sector, as part of efforts to enhance transparency and protect consumers.

In a press statement, the Ministry of Health said the decision establishes a clear and approved legislative framework for pricing medicines, requiring all human medicines to be registered and officially priced prior to being traded in the local market.

The decision also defines permissible profit margins and prohibits any form of price manipulation or excessive pricing, with the aim of preventing exploitation and ensuring fair access to medicines for consumers, reports Al-Rai daily.

The ministry explained that the pricing mechanism was developed based on Gulf and international benchmarks, as well as comprehensive economic studies, which were used as key references in determining medicine prices.

In addition, the decision introduces clear procedures for reviewing prices and submitting objections, in order to maintain a balanced approach that considers the interests of consumers, suppliers and the private healthcare sector.

As India commemorates its 77th Republic Day, the occasion invites reflection not only on constitutional values, but also on the living traditions that have shaped India’s identity across centuries.

Among these, few are as enduring and influential as India’s textile heritage—an art form that has travelled across time, borders, and cultures.

It is from this legacy that Indian Heritage emerged.

Born in Kuwait, Inspired by India

Indian Heritage was founded with a clear purpose: to serve Kuwaiti customers by bringing them the highest-quality Indian fabrics and fabric-based garments, sourced directly from India’s most respected textile regions. From the outset, the brand was shaped by the preferences, aesthetics, and cultural sensibilities of women in Kuwait—long before any regional expansion was envisioned.

Today, Indian Heritage serves local women across Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, offering Indian textiles not as replicas of Indian fashion, but as refined materials that integrate seamlessly into Arab lifestyles.

Sourcing from the Heart of India

At the core of Indian Heritage is its commitment to sourcing. Fabrics are carefully selected from across India’s historic textile regions—
from Banaras to Kanchipuram, from Gujarat and Rajasthan to Tamil Nadu and Bengal.

Each region contributes its own language of weaving, texture, and technique. Whether silk, cotton, blends, or intricately crafted fabrics, the emphasis remains constant: authenticity, craftsmanship, and uncompromising quality.

Rather than mass production, Indian Heritage curates with intention—ensuring that every fabric carries both heritage value and contemporary relevance.

An Evolving Brand, A Constant Purpose

Indian Heritage began its journey offering Indian attire, jewellery, and fabrics rooted in tradition. Over time, the brand has evolved—responding to the lifestyles and preferences of women across the GCC—while remaining true to its original purpose.

Today, the ready-to-wear garments created for Kuwaiti and other GCC women, as well as the fabrics offered in-store, are ethically sourced from India and designed with a thoughtful balance of Indian craftsmanship and Arab culture. Silhouettes, detailing, and aesthetics reflect modern Arab sensibilities, while the quality and textile integrity remain distinctly Indian.

The name Indian Heritage has remained unchanged—serving as a reminder that while form evolves, the foundation of craftsmanship, quality, and cultural respect endures.

Reimagining Indian Textiles for the Modern Arab Woman

The path forward lies in reimagining Indian textiles for the modern Arab woman.

By blending India’s weaving traditions and premium fabrics with Arab elegance, cultural context, and contemporary design, Indian Heritage has carved a unique position within the GCC—where heritage meets modernity with restraint, relevance, and respect.

This philosophy continues to guide the brand’s measured expansion across the region, positioning Indian textiles not as ethnic expressions, but as timeless materials shaped for modern lives.

A Republic Day Reflection

Republic Day reminds us that India’s strength lies not only in its institutions, but in its ability to carry its culture forward with confidence and humility. Every fabric sourced, every artisan tradition sustained, contributes quietly to that legacy.

On this 77th Republic Day, Indian Heritage extends its warm wishes to all.

Happy Republic Day. May India’s textile heritage continue to inspire, evolve, and endure—across generations and cultures.

Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Engineer Abdul Latif Al-Mashari has ratified the Municipal Council’s decision of 8 December 2025, which set the 2027–2028 academic year as the final deadline for cancelling approvals and licenses issued to private schools operating in private residential areas, paving the way for their closure by the Ministry of Education.

In his ratification, Al-Mashari added a paragraph stipulating that sites allocated to private schools may not be handed over unless approval is obtained from the Directorate-General of Traffic and a traffic study approved by the competent authorities is submitted.

The Municipal Council had previously approved amendments to three clauses related to the relocation of private schools from private residential areas, setting the evacuation deadline at the end of the 2027–2028 academic year, after the Ministry of Education completes the identification of alternative locations for the schools.

The original decision, issued on 13 November 2023, stipulated the evacuation and closure of all private schools located in private residential areas within three calendar years, after the completion of new land allocation procedures and the issuance of building permits, provided that construction begins within one year of site allocation and receipt.

Reflecting the strength of its national vision and the efficiency of its development performance, Kuwait has reinforced its advanced standing on the global competitiveness map by ranking 49th worldwide in the Social Progress Index 2026, issued by the US-based Social Progress Imperative organization.

The achievement underscores Kuwait’s success in implementing well-established policies aimed at enhancing quality of life, enabling the country to secure leading global positions in key indicators related to advanced infrastructure and community security. These results place Kuwait not only among the top performers in the region, but also ahead of several major global economies in international comparisons.

Kuwait scored 74.06 points out of 100 in the overall index. It also ranked 35th globally in per capita gross domestic product, recording a value of $45,426. Within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Kuwait placed third, following the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, Al-Rai daily reports.

The Social Progress Index measures societal performance through three main dimensions: basic human needs, foundations of well-being, and opportunity. These are further divided into 12 components and a wide range of specific indicators, allowing countries to assess strengths, identify gaps, and set priorities for future development.

The index is supported by a global network of partners and local contributors in more than 50 countries and is widely used by governments, academic institutions, investors, and international organizations to track social and environmental progress at national and local levels.

Strong Performance Across Key Indicators

Kuwait achieved particularly strong results in the basic human needs dimension, ranking 10th globally. It placed first worldwide in access to electricity and in the use of clean fuels and technology, eighth in personal safety, second in the ability to walk safely at night, and 15th in satisfaction with water quality.

In the foundations of well-being dimension, Kuwait ranked 54th globally, achieving first place worldwide in mobile phone usage, sixth in internet usage, and 20th in access to quality healthcare.

As for the opportunity dimension, where Kuwait ranked 68th, the country recorded a notable achievement by ranking fourth globally in job stability, reflecting labor market resilience and employment security.

Global Social Progress Under Pressure

The Social Progress Imperative report warned that the world is approaching a historic turning point, as decades of steady improvement in quality of life now face the risk of reversal. For the first time, the index shows a sustained global slowdown in social progress.

According to the report, this decline began with a long-term erosion of universal rights and has worsened since 2021, particularly in the areas of health, personal security, and environmental quality.

Major countries such as the United States, Russia, Ethiopia and Pakistan have experienced significant declines compared to 2021 levels, while China and India have seen a slowdown in their pace of improvement. Only 36 out of 171 countries recorded tangible progress last year, while 50 countries experienced a decline.

The report also ranked the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom among the ten countries with the weakest improvement in social progress since 2011. In contrast, European countries dominate the top of the global rankings, led by Norway, outperforming the United States in overall social progress.

Against this challenging global backdrop, Kuwait’s performance highlights its continued commitment to social well-being, sustainable development, and long-term national resilience.

At 02:39 a.m. on January 17, 1991, the skies over Kuwait lit up with the opening strikes of Operation Desert Storm. Within the first 24 hours, more than a thousand air sorties were launched toward one clear objective: liberate Kuwait and restore its sovereignty. For those who lived through the occupation, that dawn remains engraved in memory. For those of us born after liberation, it is part of the history we inherit and one we must understand.

The road to that moment began months earlier. On August 2, 1990, forces of the former Iraqi regime crossed the border into Kuwait shortly after sunrise. The invasion shocked the region and the international community. The United Nations condemned the act immediately, and after diplomatic efforts failed, the Security Council issued a final deadline, withdraw peacefully by January 15, 1991 or face war. When the deadline passed without compliance, the international coalition prepared to act.

What followed was unprecedented. A U.S. led coalition of 39 nations, commanded by General Norman Schwarzkopf, mobilized to defend a small and peaceful country many abroad had barely heard of before the occupation. More than 670,000 troops were deployed, including 470,000 Americans.

On January 17, the air campaign began, initiating a six-week phase that introduced new military technologies and a new way of witnessing war, stealth aircraft, satellite targeting, precision munitions, and for the first time, live television broadcasts that allowed civilians around the world to watch a conflict unfold in near real time.

The Gulf War also reshaped the role of women in uniform. More than 33,000 American servicewomen served in aviation, logistics, intelligence, communications, and missile defense. Their performance accelerated policy changes that later opened doors for women to fly combat aircraft and serve aboard combat ships, reforms that influenced modern military institutions.

But the legacy of Desert Storm extended far beyond the battlefield. It established a long-term relationship between Kuwait and the United States, one that began in wartime necessity and grew into cooperation in defense, diplomacy, education, and cultural exchange. That relationship remains visible across numerous fields today.

As the years pass, fewer young Kuwaitis have firsthand memories of the occupation or the liberation. Many of us grew up in a Kuwait that is safe and prosperous, but that reality was made possible by sacrifices we did not personally witness. Our generation carries the responsibility of understanding the struggle that shaped our present, honoring the resilience of those who lived through one of the most defining chapters in our national story.

Efforts to preserve this memory continue, in Washington, D.C., the Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial located near the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is now under construction. After more than a decade of planning and advocacy, its official dedication is scheduled for October 24, 2026, thirty-five years after the war.

The memorial is authorized under federal law to commemorate those who served in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and is led by a board of veterans who served during the conflict.

The memorial stands as a reminder that Kuwait’s liberation was not solely a Kuwaiti experience, but an international one built on cooperation, sacrifice, and collective defense. It offers a tangible link to a history both countries have gone through.

Today, we honor those who resisted, those who fought, those who rebuilt, and those who continue to build a better future for Kuwait. May their sacrifices never be forgotten.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Supporting Medical Services, Dr. Abdullah Al-Fares, affirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to supporting continuing medical education across all specialties by hosting leading international experts and surgeons, a move aimed at developing professional skills and raising the standard of medical performance in Kuwait.

Speaking at the opening of the Fourth Annual Orthopedic Surgery Conference on Thursday, Al-Fares said the Ministry continues to invest heavily in education and training for doctors in various fields, describing this approach as a cornerstone in achieving a qualitative leap in the level of healthcare provided to citizens and residents, reports Al-Rai daily.

He revealed that the number of robotic surgeries has exceeded 200 procedures, noting that local training for doctors on this advanced technology has already begun. He also announced an increase in the number of accredited training centers for Kuwaiti Board orthopedic surgeons to five centers and departments, after previously being limited to just one. He added that future plans aim to expand robotic surgery technology across all hospitals in the country.

Al-Fares stressed that the Ministry’s support for continuing medical education includes organizing specialized workshops alongside the conference, which he described as a fundamental pillar in strengthening practical skills and transferring hands-on experience to participants.

He highlighted key achievements in orthopedic surgery, pointing out that the Orthopedic Department at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital has received international recognition and accreditation as a distinguished center for orthopedic surgery, following a comprehensive and impartial evaluation by a specialized body in the United States.

He also announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT), one of the world’s largest and most prestigious organizations in this field. The agreement will facilitate the training of Kuwaiti doctors in SICOT-accredited centers and enhance cooperation in experience exchange and joint scientific research.

For his part, Conference Chairman Dr. Awad Al-Mutairi said the three-day conference features more than 55 scientific lectures and five surgical training workshops, including one being held in Kuwait for the first time using anatomical training on human specimens in cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine at Kuwait University.

He added that a scientific competition for the best research poster is also being held, with more than 25 scientific papers submitted by local and international researchers, alongside other scientific activities. Participants will receive over 20 accredited medical training hours, in addition to benefiting from the participation of international and local medical companies in the accompanying medical exhibition.

The Kuwaiti passport has been ranked 50th globally and third in the Arab world, according to the latest Henley Passport Index 2026 issued by the international consulting firm Henley & Partners. The ranking places Kuwait behind the United Arab Emirates, which came fifth worldwide, and Qatar, ranked 47th.

The index shows that Kuwaiti passport holders can now travel to 96 destinations worldwide without the need for a prior visa, reflecting the country’s expanding diplomatic ties and growing international engagement.

Henley & Partners, based in London, publishes the annual index using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), covering 227 countries and territories. The ranking is widely regarded as the most authoritative measure of global travel freedom.

Singapore retained its position as the world’s most powerful passport for 2026, granting visa-free access to 192 destinations. Japan and South Korea tied for second place, while five European countries, including Switzerland and Spain, shared third.

The UAE continued its remarkable rise, sharing fifth place globally and recording the strongest performance in the index’s 20-year history. Since 2006, the Emirates has added 149 new visa-free destinations, driven by active diplomacy and streamlined travel agreements.

In contrast, the United Kingdom saw the sharpest annual decline, dropping to access 182 destinations, nearly eight fewer than last year. The United States ranked tenth, with access to 179 destinations, after briefly falling out of the top ten in late 2025.

China continued its steady climb, moving up 28 places over the past decade to rank 59th globally, underscoring its strategic use of openness to strengthen economic and diplomatic influence.

At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan ranked last, with visa-free access to only 24 destinations, followed by Syria and Iraq.

Misha Glini, President of the Institute of Human Sciences in Vienna, noted that the strength of a passport reflects political stability, diplomatic credibility, and a country’s influence in the international system.

Meanwhile, IATA Director General Willy Walsh stressed that while governments are tightening border controls, technological advances such as digital identity and digital passports offer a path to achieving both seamless travel and secure borders.

Within the Arab world, Kuwait’s third-place position highlights its solid standing in regional mobility, trailing only the UAE and Qatar. The ranking underscores Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and facilitate international travel for its citizens.

In the same index, India rose to 80th place, granting its passport holders visa-free access to 55 destinations. While South Asian passports remain comparatively limited, India’s improvement reflects gradual diplomatic gains.

India’s passport has climbed to 80th place in the Henley Passport Index 2026, giving holders visa-free or simplified entry to 55 destinations worldwide and strengthening India’s position among South Asian nations, Gulf News reports.

Indian travelers can now visit a wide range of countries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific and the Middle East, including Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, the British Virgin Islands, the Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Macao (SAR China), Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montserrat, Nepal, Niue, Rwanda, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu without a prior visa.

In addition, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, the Philippines, Palau Islands, Qatar, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu and Zimbabwe offer Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), allowing entry permission to be obtained at the border or online before departure.

Popular destinations such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Kenya, Maldives and Sri Lanka continue to attract Indian travelers seeking flexibility and ease of access, while the broader list highlights growing mobility compared to regional neighbors, with Pakistan ranked 98th and Bangladesh 95th.

The improvement reflects India’s steady diplomatic outreach and expanding international travel opportunities, even as Singapore, Japan and South Korea continue to dominate the top of the global passport rankings.

The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) has confirmed that local banks are now ready to resume awarding prizes to customers, after completing the establishment of a comprehensive governance system in line with regulatory controls issued by the relevant authorities, to ensure the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and fairness.

In a statement published on its official website, the Central Bank explained that extensive efforts over the past months have resulted in several key outcomes, most notably verifying banks’ readiness to resume prize draws in full compliance with approved regulatory controls, establishing a unified framework for governance and auditing, and strengthening transparency and integrity in all prize-awarding procedures.

The Central Bank clarified that banks are permitted to offer prizes on certain accounts and banking products only after obtaining the necessary licenses from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

It stressed that, within the framework of reinforcing governance principles and consolidating transparency standards, it has implemented a series of regulatory and supervisory measures to reorganize and tightly control the prize-awarding mechanism.

Strengthening Governance and Oversight

The Central Bank noted from October 2025 to January 2026, banks worked on strengthening their internal frameworks and procedures to enhance governance, transparency, and integrity in prize draws.

The most prominent measures included:

• Appointing a single, unified external auditing firm to supervise all prize draws.
• Adopting a unified document outlining technical and operational requirements for awarding prizes.
• Subjecting all prize draws to external audit review, regardless of the value of the prize.
• Implementing internal audit procedures and incorporating them into approved work plans to ensure full compliance and transparency.

The Central Bank explained that it had issued a circular on March 25, 2025, suspending the awarding of bank prizes in order to re-evaluate products and ensure sound governance and transparency.

This was followed by supervisory inspections between March and May 2025 to review banks’ procedures and verify compliance with the instructions of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

In June 2025, regulatory and technical proposals were prepared based on international best practices and the results of inspections, in preparation for submission to the relevant authorities to ensure clarity and integrity in procedures.

During July 2025, meetings were held with concerned entities to discuss the proposed controls, define responsibilities, and agree on coordination mechanisms for their implementation.

The Central Bank added that between August and September 2025, the Kuwait Banking Association was provided with the detailed controls and requirements that banks must meet in order to resume awarding prizes.

Technical meetings were also held with banks to explain these requirements and ensure full understanding and compliance before any prize draws could be reinstated.

The Central Bank stressed that these steps are aimed at safeguarding customer rights, preventing misuse, and ensuring that all prize draws are conducted in a transparent, fair, and fully regulated manner.

The ministry added that the sirens will be activated periodically at the beginning of each month at 10:00 am, as part of regular procedures to test technical readiness and verify the efficiency of the alarm system.

The ministry stressed that the exercise is purely precautionary and forms part of its ongoing efforts to maintain a high level of preparedness in emergency response systems.

The Ministry of Interior has announced that it will conduct a trial run of sirens on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 10:00 am.

The citizens and residents have been urged not to be alarmed, as the procedure is part of a routine technical test to ensure the effectiveness of preventive measures and to enhance public safety across all areas of the country.

The ministry added that the sirens will be activated periodically at the beginning of each month at 10:00 am, as part of regular procedures to test technical readiness and verify the efficiency of the alarm system.

The ministry stressed that the exercise is purely precautionary and forms part of its ongoing efforts to maintain a high level of preparedness in emergency response systems.

The Ministry of Social Affairs has issued a stern reminder to all charity societies and foundations to comply without exception with the approved regulations and conditions governing the advertising of licensed projects inside and outside Kuwait, stressing that any deviation will not be tolerated as it moves to enforce transparency, tighten governance and safeguard donors’ rights.

In a circular issued by the Department of Charity Societies and Foundations, the ministry has urged all registered charities to fully comply with the regulatory framework governing the announcement and promotion of charity projects, particularly with regard to the approved administrative percentage.

The ministry stressed that it is strictly prohibited to advertise any charity project unless it has been officially licensed in advance, in accordance with established procedures, reports Al-Qabasdaily

It further emphasized that all promotional materials must clearly and explicitly display the approved administrative percentage stated in the license issued by the ministry, without ambiguity or concealment.

Any attempt to use misleading phrases, indirect wording or advertising methods that obscure the actual administrative percentage will be considered a violation of the regulations, the ministry warned.

It also underlined that all advertising content must fully match the licensing data in terms of the project’s name, duration, objectives, destination of funds and the approved administrative percentage.

The ministry made it clear that charity organizations bear full legal and administrative responsibility for the content of their advertisements across all platforms, including print media, digital outlets, social media and other communication channels.

It cautioned that any breach of these regulations will be treated as a violation of the laws governing charitable work, and that necessary legal measures will be taken. These may include halting the advertisement or project and imposing administrative penalties in line with applicable laws and regulations.

In a related development, the Ministry of Social Affairs also called on all charity societies and foundations to ensure that all humanitarian contributions are registered in the Financial Tracking System (FTS).

This directive follows a communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscoring the importance of documenting all humanitarian assistance through the official tracking platform to enhance oversight and accountability.

The ministry reiterated that these measures aim to regulate charitable activity, protect the integrity of humanitarian work, and reinforce public confidence in Kuwait’s charitable sector.

The Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs, Engineer Abdul Latif Al-Mashari, has ratified the decisions of the Municipal Council meeting held on December 8, 2025, with the exception of three items.

Al-Mashari approved the Council’s decision to set the end of the 2027–2028 academic year as the final deadline for cancelling municipal approvals and licenses issued to private schools operating in private residential areas. These schools will be closed by the Ministry of Education after the deadline.

In his ratification, Al-Mashari added a paragraph stipulating that sites allocated to private schools may not be handed over unless approval is obtained from the Directorate-General of Traffic and a traffic study approved by the competent authorities is submitted, reports Al-Rai daily.

The Municipal Council had previously approved amendments to three clauses related to the relocation of private schools from private residential areas, setting the evacuation deadline at the end of the 2027–2028 academic year, after the Ministry of Education completes the identification of alternative locations for the schools.

The original decision, issued on November 13, 2023, stipulated the evacuation and closure of all private schools located in private residential areas three calendar years after the completion of allocation procedures and the issuance of building permits, provided that construction begins within one year of site allocation and receipt.

The minister did not approve the following three decisions:

Car Washing and Polishing Activity — A proposal by the Vice President of the Municipal Council, Khaled Mufleh Al-Mutairi, to add car washing and polishing activities to the permitted uses in Abu Futaira, Al-Qurain Markets and Al-Ardhiya Crafts areas, due to its contradiction with technical opinion.

Sidewalk Use for Refreshments and Water Coolers – A decision to allow licensing for the exploitation of sidewalk space to place refreshment and water coolers for grocery, food supply and central food market activities by amending Ministerial Decision No. (30/2021). The proposal was deferred for further study and possible inclusion in the road occupancy regulations project prepared by the executive body.

Temporary Entrance to Rumaithiya Area — A proposal by member Nasser Al-Jadaan to create a temporary entrance to Rumaithiya from the Fahaheel Road service road opposite Block 12, with the Ministry of Public Works authorized to prepare the final design and coordinate with the Ministry of Interior. The proposal was rejected due to its violation of technical opinion, as outlined in the executive body’s letter.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef has issued Ministerial Resolution No. (1/2026) amending provisions of Resolution No. (89/2) relating to registration deadlines in the Civil Information System.

The decision, which has already become effective says the registration period for children born inside Kuwait has been set at 120 days from the date of birth.

The move is aimed at streamlining civil registration procedures, enhancing data accuracy, and improving administrative efficiency across government entities, in line with ongoing efforts to modernise public services and strengthen institutional governance.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is heading to New Delhi this weekend, accompanied by a large delegation, as Berlin intensifies efforts to deepen political, economic and strategic ties with India.

The visit follows a recent trip by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, underlining India’s growing importance in Germany’s foreign policy calculus.

Germany’s renewed focus on the world’s most populous country, with around 1.45 billion people, is driven by both economic pressures and geopolitical realignments.

While Germany has been mired in recession for nearly three years, the OECD projects India’s economy will grow significantly faster than China’s this year, DW.COM reports.

Trade between Germany and India has expanded steadily, reaching €29 billion ($33.7 billion) in 2024, although this remains modest compared with Germany’s trade volume with China, which stood at approximately €246 billion in the same year.

Germany is also increasingly turning to India to address its acute shortage of skilled workers. Indians now form the largest group of foreign students at German universities, with many specializing in science and engineering.

Major German companies have shifted research and development activities to India, reflecting the country’s growing role as a global hub for services and innovation.

Christian Wagner, an India specialist at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), said India has evolved rapidly. “It began with call centers. Now it is research facilities. Many large German companies have outsourced their research institutes to India,” he noted, adding that India now functions as “the office of the global economy,” while China remains “the factory of the global economy.”

Merz has repeatedly warned that the liberal world order is under pressure, citing growing instability, overlapping crises and the return of war to Europe.

Without naming the United States directly, he has expressed concern about US tariff policies and potential shifts in Washington’s defense commitments toward Europe.

He has also spoken of increasing systemic rivalry with China and argued that the World Trade Organization is no longer functioning effectively, urging Europe to build a new rules-based trading system. In this context, Merz sees India as a key partner in diversifying supply chains and strengthening Germany’s competitiveness.

“For the sake of our security and competitiveness, diversifying raw material supply chains and trading networks must be a priority,” Merz told German ambassadors last year, announcing plans to strengthen strategic partnerships beyond the transatlantic sphere.

Despite the growing engagement, Germany’s relationship with India is complicated by New Delhi’s close ties with Moscow. Indian efforts to maintain strategic autonomy have frustrated Western attempts to draw the country into sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

India continues to purchase large volumes of Russian oil, some of which is refined and resold to Western markets, effectively circumventing EU sanctions.

According to Wagner, Merz is unlikely to change India’s position. “It is comparatively difficult to bring India to the West’s side. India will stick with its course of strategic autonomy and continue to maintain good relations with Russia,” he said.

Merz has previously supported imposing tariffs on countries that trade with Russia. In August 2025, US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent, one of the highest rates applied to a US trading partner, over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Although US and Indian officials are now seeking to ease tensions, India remains firmly committed to its relationship with Russia.

Defense cooperation is another sensitive area. Around 60 to 70 percent of India’s military equipment is of Russian origin, and New Delhi is reportedly negotiating further deliveries of S-400 air defense systems from Moscow. Russia remains India’s largest arms supplier, followed by France.

In 2025, France secured a €6.6 billion deal to supply 26 Rafale fighter jets to India. Germany, by contrast, lags far behind in arms exports to the country. However, Berlin hopes to secure future contracts as India embarks on a major modernization of its armed forces, including potential orders for Airbus A400M transport aircraft and submarines from German shipyards.

Germany’s outreach to India reflects a strategic effort to reduce dependence on China, mitigate the impact of US tariffs, and secure new economic and security partnerships. However, India’s independent foreign policy, deep ties with Russia and emphasis on strategic autonomy mean that closer cooperation will not come without limits or complications.

As Merz arrives in New Delhi, both sides are expected to highlight strong bilateral relations in trade, technology and innovation, even as underlying geopolitical differences continue to shape the partnership.