British Ambassador to Kuwait Qudsi Rasheed reaffirmed his country’s unwavering support for Kuwait’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity in an interview with Kuwait News Agency. The envoy described bilateral relations stretching back more than 125 years as a strong strategic partnership grounded in mutual trust and cooperation across multiple sectors. Kuwait stands as one of the United Kingdom’s oldest and most significant partners in the Gulf region, with ties encompassing defence, trade, investment, healthcare, education, energy, culture and innovation, according to Rasheed.
Defence cooperation forms a central pillar of the relationship, the ambassador noted, drawing on collaboration that intensified during Kuwait’s liberation in 1991. Current joint efforts include military training and specialised education programs, development of defence capabilities, exchange of counter-drone expertise and closer coordination between the two nations’ security institutions. Rasheed said these activities have deepened readiness to address both immediate and longer-term challenges.
The ambassador told Kuwait News Agency that Britain has worked closely with Kuwait and other Gulf partners throughout recent regional tensions to bolster stability, safeguard freedom of navigation and protect shared security interests. Such coordination has underscored the practical value of the defence partnership and the benefits of aligned responses to emerging threats. Rasheed highlighted how these engagements build on decades of trust established since the early days of formal diplomatic ties.
Rasheed said, “Today, we’re here as an ally and partner of Kuwait that will stand with Kuwait to help Kuwait and its military protect itself.” The ambassador praised Kuwait’s consistent emphasis on dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation as a valued contribution to broader regional stability. Kuwait’s approach has earned it respect among international partners, he added.
Looking forward, the two countries intend to broaden collaboration into emerging technologies, cybersecurity, clean energy, artificial intelligence, digital services, healthcare, higher education and financial services, Rasheed indicated. British firms continue to support Kuwait’s development objectives under the New Kuwait Vision 2035 framework, while Kuwait has become a notable source of investment into the UK economy. The ambassador’s remarks reflect ongoing efforts to evolve the partnership beyond traditional defence ties into new areas of mutual benefit.
The statements from the October 27 interview come amid sustained high-level engagements between British and Kuwaiti defence officials throughout 2026, including visits by senior UK military advisers that have focused on enhancing joint capabilities. These discussions have addressed evolving regional dynamics while reinforcing the foundational 1899 agreement that first formalised relations between the two states. Rasheed’s assessment aligns with earlier comments in which he outlined practical UK support, such as the deployment of counter-drone systems integrated into Kuwait’s air defence network.
