Kuwait
Official Map
National Flag
Coat of Arms
His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah,
Prime Minister
Official Name
The State of Kuwait
Capital
Kuwait City
Currency
Kuwait Dinar (KD)
Head of the State
His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad
Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Population
2,505,559
Main Languages
Arabic (Official) and English
Total GDP
$ 130 billion
Real GDP Growth
5.6%
Embassy in New Delhi
5A, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi 110 021.
Tel : +91-11-24100791
Fax : +91-11-26873516
Consulate General in Mumbai
Vaswani Mansions, Flat No. 2, 120,
Dinshaw Vachha Road,
Mumbai 400 020
Tel : +91-22-22871897/22873007
Fax : +91-22-22048180
Indian Embassy
Diplomatic Enclave, Arabian Gulf Street,
P. O. Box No. 1450-Safat 13015
Phone : 965 2530600
Fax : 965 2525811
India-Kuwait Relations
India and Kuwait enjoy traditional friendly relations. These are historical and timetested.Geographical proximity, historical trade links, cultural affinities and presence of a large number of Indian expatriates have all continued to sustain and nurture the longstanding relationship over the years. India had been a natural trading partner 4 and a destination for higher learning for Kuwaitis. Until 1961, the Indian rupee was legal tender in Kuwait. India and Kuwait are both members of NAM and share common perceptions on various regional and international issues. Both India and Kuwait have been cooperating with each other in regional and international fora. High-level discussions and consultations between India and Kuwait has been a regular feature governing bilateral relations. The Amir of the State of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah paid a State Visit to India from June 14-19, 2006. Three Agreements were signed during the visit. These included an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement and for the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (DTAA) between India and Kuwait; an Agreement on Drug Demand Reduction and Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and PercursorChemicals and Related Matters; and an Executive Programme for the Cultural and Information Exchanges between India and Kuwait for the years 2006 2008.
Agreements
India and Kuwait have signed various Agreements to provide a framework for the development of bilateral relations. These include:
- Cultural Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the State of Kuwait signed on November 2, 1970;
- Trade Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of the State of Kuwait signed on February 13, 1974;
- Cooperation Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of the State of Kuwait signed on February 15, 1992;
- Protocol between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of the Republic of India and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) for cientific and Technical Cooperation signed on June 16, 1995
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait on the Conducting of Bilateral Consultations signed on July 9, 2000
- Memorandum of Understanding on Civil Aviation Matters signed on August 30, 2001;
- Agreement between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of India for the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment signed on November 27, 2001;
- Academic Agreement between Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi and Faculty of Arts, Kuwait University signed in December 2003;
- Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters signed on August 25, 2004;
- Extradition Treaty between the Republic of India and the State of Kuwait signed on August 25, 2004;
- MOU for Establishment of Indo-Kuwait Strategic Consultative Group signed on August 25, 2004;
- Agreement on Juridical and Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial Matters signed on August 16, 2005;
- Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement and for the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (DTAA) betweenIndia and Kuwait signed on June 15, 2006
- Agreement on Drug Demand Reduction and Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursor Chemicals and Related Matters signed on June 15, 2006;
- Executive Programme for the Cultural and Information Exchanges between India and Kuwait for the years 2006 - 2008 signed on June 15, 2006;
- Memorandum of Understanding on Civil Aviation Matters signed on July 18, 2006.
Economic
India's total non-oil bilateral trade with Kuwait in 2004 was $ 628.64 million. India's exports came to $ 524.01 million and imports $ 104.63 million. India's main exports were rice, portland cement, cement (clinkers), gem and jewellery, iron and steel coil products, textiles, ready- made garments, fruits and vegetables, spices and main imports oil and oil products to India. (India imported about 10.743 million tonnes ofcrude oil from Kuwait in 2005 and 1.249 million tonnes of other products from Kuwait at an approximate cost of US $4.479 billion). Other items include petroleum products, fertilizers, sulfur, naphtha and metal scrap.
Education
There are about a dozen Indian schools in Kuwait affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi. They are all well established and cater to the needs of the large Indian community residing in Kuwait. The Indian community in Kuwait numbered 514,373, as on April 30, 2006. The fostering India-Kuwait relations. Amongst them are old established families of Indian businessmen who have flourishing trade relations with Kuwait.
Chamber of Commerce
Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry
P.O.Box : 775, Safat 13008, The State of Kuwait
Tel : (00965) 805580 / 2404110 / 2433858
E-mail : kcci@org.kw
Web: www.kcci.org.kw
Visa Procedure
Visit Visa get by Sponsor in Kuwait; five star Hotels
also through Kuwait Airways.
Major Tourist Attractions
Pearl Diving
The Annual Pearl Diving festivals help the current generation to experience the hardship and excitement of pearl diving, which their forefathers once experienced. The festivals are a tribute to men who dedicated their lives to the pearling industry. The youngsters prepare in advance for the event by training themselves in sailing and diving, interacting with old divers and experienced captains, and get familiarized with the equipment. The attire of today's pearl-divers are identical to those worn by their forefathers. During the dive, the diver is secured to the railing of the ship with a rope, tied around his waist. Once he is ready to surface, he tugs on the rope, which his helper holds all through, and the latter then pulls back the diver. The end of the festival is celebrated by singing and dancing.
Sea Clubs
Most sea clubs in Kuwait offer a variety of facilities such as outdoor and indoor swimming pools, tennis courts, beaches, bowling, gymnasiums and karate. There are five sea clubs currently run by the KTEC. Each club allocates a particular day exclusively for women and children. Ras Al-Ardh is a sea club exclusively reserved for children and women. Kuwait also has several private sea clubs.
Water Sports
Tourists are required to buy their own equipments from dealers for windsurfing, boating, water-skiing, jet skiing, scuba diving and yachting, as the facilities for hiring these equipments are very few. Most of such sports could be enjoyed away from the beaches along the coast.
Yachting
Kuwait is considered to be the sailor's paradise. The sea's offshore is seldom rough. The yacht club has a marina with about 300 fully serviced berths. Most sea clubs have marinas and organize sailing activities. The Kuwait Offshore Sailing Association often organizes races.
Trips to the Islands
Taking boat trip to the islands such as Kubbar, could be a pleasant experience with picnicking and swimming in the island. A dhow could be hired for a few hundred KD, which could be ideal for a small family outing together.
Fishing
Most experts use home-made equipments for fishing, though simple and sophisticated fishing tackle is readily available in the shops. One could go fishing with long casting rods from ends of piers and prominent rocks using simple hooks, lines, poles or wireless baskets.
Sports
For those interested in Archery, there is the National Archery Center in the Hunting and Equestrian Club, and anyone could make use of it at a nominal fee. Among the other popular sports in Kuwait are the Basketball and Bowling. Also, for those interested in Equestrian Sports, the Hunting and Equestrian Club on the sixth Ring Road offers race tracks, gymkhana and riding facilities, squash courts, tennis, swimming pools, restaurant, bowling alley, and indoor sports area. Ice-skating at the Ice Skating Rink on the first Ring Road, and motorbike racing are other sporting activities in Kuwait, worth a tr
Shopping
Besides the old tradition sonks that offers handcrafts, Jewelers and spices, there are in Kuwait various modern shopping centers and malls that provide international brand and well know products for compact: five prices.
Kuwait Imports - commodities
Food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing
Kuwait Exports - commodities
oil and refined products, fertilizers
Airport & Harbour
Kuwait International Airport
Official Website
Photographs of Historical monuments & Tourist attraction
