KUWAIT: Kuwait and India held the 6th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on Wednesday in Kuwait in which both sides reviewed the entire gamut of multifaceted bilateral relations to further strengthen and diversify them. The 6th FOC between Kuwait and India were co-chaired by Assistant Foreign Minister (Asia) Ambassador Sameeh Essah Johar Hayat and India’s Joint Secretary (Gulf) Aseem Mahajan. Both sides undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral relationship and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest during the consultations.

Expressing satisfaction with the traditionally strong bilateral ties, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in various areas, including political ties, regular high-level exchanges, trade and investment, education, technology, health, culture and people-to-people contacts, a press release issued by the Indian Embassy said.

Mahajan, who arrived in Kuwait heading an Indian delegation to participate in the consultations, called on Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on Wednesday. They discussed avenues and new initiatives to further deepen the India-Kuwait partnership.

KUWAIT: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah receives India’s Joint Secretary (Gulf) Aseem Mahajan on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mahajan called on Ministry of Commerce Undersecretary Ziyad Al-Najem and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation including further boosting trade, diversifying the trade basket, deepening energy cooperation and new initiatives in technology and fintech domains.

The visiting Indian official also had a bilateral meeting with Tahani Rashid Al-Naseer, Assistant Foreign Minister (Legal), Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both sides reviewed the progress of bilateral agreements and discussions on ongoing negotiations of various agreements and MoUs for early finalization, the release further said. The timely convening of the FOC as a sequel to the previous meeting in May 2023 is expected to impart further momentum in bilateral relations. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the consultations. The next round of consultations will be held in New Delhi at a mutually convenient time, according to the release.