India and Kuwait convened the inaugural meeting of their Joint Defense Committee (JDC) in New Delhi on August 29, marking a significant development in bilateral defense relations. The committee aims to advance cooperation across multiple areas, including training, military exercises, military medicine, defense industry collaboration, and research and development.
The formation of the JDC follows the upgrade of diplomatic relations between the two countries to a Strategic Partnership during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait in December 2024. This meeting represents a key step toward operationalizing the objectives set out in the memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation signed during that visit.
The session was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary in India’s Ministry of Defense, and Brigadier General Raed Alsakran, leading a five-member Kuwaiti delegation. Prior to the meeting, Brig. Gen. Alsakran paid tribute to India’s fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. The Kuwaiti delegation also engaged with representatives from India’s defense industry to explore potential collaborative opportunities.
The Indian contingent included officials from the three military services, the Department of Defense Production, the Defense Research and Development Organisation, the Armed Forces Medical Services, and the Ministry of External Affairs. Both sides emphasized their commitment to further deepening defense ties rooted in long-standing historical, cultural, and economic connections.
India and Kuwait have maintained diplomatic relations since 1962, supported by shared geographic proximity, historical trade links, and a sizable Indian expatriate community residing in Kuwait. The recent elevation of ties to a Strategic Partnership underscores the growing importance both nations place on enhancing security cooperation amid evolving regional dynamics.
The meeting concluded with mutual agreement to continue expanding defense collaboration, focusing on practical initiatives that strengthen the capabilities and interoperability of their respective armed forces. The establishment and activation of the Joint Defense Committee are seen as foundational to sustaining and building on the momentum generated by the upgraded bilateral relationship.