The Indian Ambassador to Kuwait has underscored the potential for expanded Kuwaiti investment in India’s infrastructure, logistics and food processing sectors as both countries work to broaden economic cooperation beyond traditional energy trade. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two sides discussed these areas extensively during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Kuwait in December 2024, which produced a joint statement welcoming Kuwaiti participation in Indian projects. The ministry’s assessment placed total bilateral trade at 9.57 billion U.S. dollars in fiscal year 2025-26, with Indian exports of cereals, jewellery, vehicles, electrical equipment and machinery contributing 1.65 billion dollars. Kuwait remains a key supplier of crude oil and LPG to India, accounting for roughly 3.5 percent of the latter’s energy needs.
A joint commission for cooperation established in December 2024 now oversees seven new joint working groups, including dedicated tracks on trade, investments, agriculture and food security, the ministry reported. The inaugural meeting of the investment cooperation group took place virtually in September 2025, followed by sessions on trade, culture and food security through mid-2026. These forums have prioritised exchange of business delegations and closer links between investment authorities in both countries. The ministry noted that negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty are being fast-tracked to support such flows.
Kuwaiti institutions including the Kuwait Investment Authority and the Public Institution for Social Security have already committed more than 30 billion dollars to Indian capital markets, real estate, logistics and hospitality, according to ministry data. Indian contractors such as Larsen & Toubro, Afcons Infrastructure and KEC International maintain a visible presence in Kuwait, delivering road, power transmission and oil-related infrastructure projects. The ministry listed additional Indian technology firms including TCS, Infosys and Tech Mahindra as active through local partnerships, contributing to Kuwait’s digital and services infrastructure.
Food security cooperation has gained particular momentum, with the Kuwaiti side expressing interest in Indian food parks and processing facilities during the 2024 summit, the joint statement showed. India, as one of the world’s largest agricultural producers, offers scale and technology that can help diversify Kuwait’s supply sources while opening export channels for Indian producers. The newly formed joint working group on agriculture and food security, which convened in July 2026, is expected to translate these intentions into concrete investment proposals.
Logistics and infrastructure form another focal point given Kuwait’s Vision 2035 drive to develop ports, rail networks and economic zones. The ministry’s records indicate that Indian companies have executed several related contracts in Kuwait, ranging from port upgrades to smart-city components. Both governments have encouraged private-sector participation in these areas, with the December 2024 joint statement directing authorities to identify specific projects suitable for joint ventures or Kuwaiti funding.
The ambassador’s recent comments reflect the sustained momentum from multiple high-level visits, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s trip to Kuwait in July 2026, the ministry stated. These engagements have also covered technology transfer, healthcare collaboration and renewable energy, expanding the bilateral agenda. Officials from both sides continue to meet under the joint working group framework to monitor progress on the identified investment streams.
