Indian Ambassador: New media partnership opens wider horizons for cooperation between Kuwait and India

Osama Diab: The Ambassador of the Republic of India to Kuwait, Paramita Tripathi, affirmed the importance of the role played by the media in strengthening Kuwait-India relations and bringing the peoples of the two countries closer. She noted that the launch of the “India-Kuwait Media Connectivity” initiative aims to consolidate a continuous and constructive dialogue between the Embassy and the media community in Kuwait, provide reliable and verifiable sources, and highlight opportunities for bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Speaking during the launch of the initiative under the theme “Partnership, Insights, and Opportunities,” the Ambassador stated that India-Kuwait relations are deeply rooted in history, built on strong popular ties that the media in both countries have helped strengthen and convey for decades through stories reflecting the depth of connection between the two peoples.

She explained that the rapid developments in the media landscape and the instantaneous cross-border flow of news and information make reliable journalism, contextualization, and meaningful engagement more important than ever. She pointed out that these transformations offer an opportunity to deepen the understanding of India-Kuwait relations, which have been built over generations.

She added that there are many shared stories worthy of wider dissemination, covering areas such as business, innovation, culture, education, tourism, and technology, as well as stories of individuals who give vitality to the relationship between the two countries. She emphasized that these stories go beyond news headlines and contribute to building mutual understanding between the peoples.

The Ambassador clarified that the initiative provides a platform to enhance interaction between the Embassy and journalists in Kuwait, facilitate the exchange of ideas and expertise, and create opportunities to regularly discover and share stories about India and bilateral relations.

She announced that the Embassy intends to organize informal monthly meetings with journalists, scheduled for the last working day of each month, to present updates on its activities and initiatives, discuss developments in India and India-Kuwait relations, as well as key diplomatic ties, political initiatives, and important regional and international developments.

Responding to a question about what the initiative would add to India-Kuwait relations, she said its launch reflects the Embassy’s high regard for the role of the media. She explained that providing reliable news and verifiable sources is particularly crucial in the age of social media, where fake news spreads rapidly.

Regarding cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, the Ambassador affirmed that AI and emerging technologies represent a priority for India, Kuwait, and the world. She noted that the joint working group meeting on science and technology had held its session the day prior to the event, and that this sector would be among the areas pushed forward.

She clarified that discussions are already underway, and that both countries have their own directions and plans in the field of AI, including data centers and related initiatives. She emphasized the significant potential for fruitful bilateral cooperation in emerging technologies, with AI at the forefront. She added that both sides are working to develop this cooperation, expressing confidence that their efforts will yield concrete future steps in this field.

Regarding the agreements signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait in December 2024, she stated that the visit saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation, a cultural exchange program, and a memorandum of understanding in the fields of sports and youth affairs, followed by agreements in civil aviation and economic intelligence.

Responding to a question about topics still under negotiation, she explained that several draft proposals are currently being exchanged between the two sides in preparation for future signing, with work on them ongoing in the context of upcoming high-level visits.

Addressing complaints regarding delays in visa procedures and services provided to Kuwaitis at application centers, the Ambassador urged individuals to report specific complaints to the Embassy so it could intervene directly and resolve the issues. She said that understanding the nature of the complaint is essential, whether it relates to technical aspects of form completion, failure to complete procedures within expected timeframes, or other difficulties, emphasizing the Embassy’s readiness to handle them and facilitate processes.

She clarified that there are three Indian consular service centers in Kuwait City, Fahaheel, and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, with another center in Jahra set to open soon. She noted that these centers include services for capturing required photos for applications. She added that the inclusion of these services was a response to problems faced by applicants, emphasizing that the Embassy listens to feedback and works to integrate services needed by applicants.