Kuwait City: Underlining the need to exchange
information on terror groups, India and Kuwait have decided to
set up a joint mechanism to combat the scourge of terrorism.
The decision to set up `India-Kuwait Joint Mechanism on
Combating International Terrorism` came following a series of
meetings External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had with
Kuwaiti leaders here.
The discussions on terrorism centred around the need to
exchange information on how terror groups operate as well as
the question of how the nexus exists among them.
"We have agreed on setting up an India-Kuwait Joint
Mechanism on Combating International Terrorism," Krishna, who
is the first External Affairs Minister to visit Kuwait since
1992, said.
"The well-being of India and that of this region are
inter-linked. We have a vested interest to see that we live in
surroundings that are calm, where our peoples have the
opportunity to develop and prosper in the shadow of peace," he
said.
Besides terrorism, Krishna discussed with Kuwaiti leaders
issues related to developments in Pakistan and Afghanistan,
energy security, Middle East peace process, developments in
Iraq and Iran, UN Security Council reforms, culture and
people-to-people contacts.
Krishna, who held meetings with Kuwait Amir Sheikh
Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser
Mohammad Al Ahmed Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah,
said the trade between the two countries was growing and India
will "continue to tap unexploited potential".
The Minister also said there is considerable scope for
"profitable Kuwaiti investments" in India, especially in
infrastructure.
Kuwait is an important trading partner for India and
the bilateral trade was USD 8.4 billion in 2007-2008 and is
estimated to touch USD 10.5 billion in 2009-10.
Krishna, who concluded his two-day visit to Kuwait today,
said India was committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation in
sectors of petro-chemicals, fertilisers, power generation and
infrastructure.
The minister said there was a need to look into the
requirements of thousands of Indian domestic workers in Kuwait
and that the Kuwaiti authorities should think about bringing
in a legislation on labour laws to address this issue.
He said he had discussions on this issue with the
Kuwaiti leaders.
The Indian community in Kuwait is nearly 600,000-strong
at present.
PTI
