British Ambassador: Our commitment to Kuwait's security and territorial integrity is 'unwavering'

The British Ambassador to Kuwait, Qudsi Rashid, affirmed on Tuesday the firm commitment of his country to Kuwait’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He emphasized that the historical ties between the two nations, spanning more than 125 years, represent a robust strategic partnership built on mutual trust and close cooperation across various fields.

In a special interview with the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Ambassador Rashid stated that the United Kingdom regards Kuwait as one of its oldest and most important partners in the Gulf region, noting that bonds established over more than a century remain significant amid current regional and international challenges.

He added that what distinguishes Kuwaiti-British relations is their comprehensiveness and the diversity of their cooperation areas. Defense and security cooperation form a central pillar of this partnership, which has expanded to include trade, investment, healthcare, education, energy, culture, and innovation.

He clarified that the two countries work closely to address shared challenges, foremost among them regional security, economic diversification, and leveraging opportunities provided by modern technologies, reflecting the evolution of bilateral relations and their capacity to keep pace with changes.

In this context, he pointed to high-level reciprocal visits, including that of former UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy in April 2026, as well as visits by senior British defense officials and the UK Defense Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa, Vice Admiral Edward Algren. He stressed that these meetings reflect the depth of the strategic partnership and renew the UK’s commitment to standing by Kuwait during difficult times.

Regarding defense cooperation between the two countries, Ambassador Rashid affirmed that military relations constitute one of the strongest pillars of the Kuwaiti-British partnership. He noted that the bonds forged during the liberation of Kuwait in 1991 continue to form a solid foundation for close cooperation and mutual trust between the armed forces of both nations.

He stated that defense cooperation encompasses a wide range of areas, including military training, specialized military education, developing defense capabilities and equipment, exchanging expertise in countering drones, and enhancing coordination between defense and security institutions.

He added that continuous communication between the military authorities of both countries contributes to enhancing readiness and the ability to confront current and future security challenges. He noted that recent visits by senior British military officials have helped strengthen cooperation and develop the capacity for joint operations between the Kuwaiti and British armed forces.

He stressed that the primary objective of this cooperation is to ensure the continued exchange of expertise and knowledge between the armed forces of both countries, enhancing their ability to operate effectively in support of regional security and stability.

On the security developments in the region, Ambassador Rashid stated that the UK’s commitment to Kuwait’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity is unwavering. He affirmed that his country has stood by Kuwait at critical historical junctures and that this stance remains firm, just as it was during the liberation of Kuwait.

He explained that during recent regional tensions, the United Kingdom worked closely with Kuwait and its Gulf partners to support regional security and stability through continuous coordination, maintaining an appropriate presence in the region, and focusing on protecting freedom of navigation and the safety of partners.

He added that these efforts once again embodied the practical nature of the security partnership between Kuwait and the United Kingdom, highlighting the importance of joint coordination in addressing developments and challenges facing the region.

Ambassador Rashid praised Kuwait’s role in enhancing regional stability, affirming that “it enjoys great respect as a key regional partner due to its consistent approach based on dialogue, diplomacy, and de-escalation.”

He stated that the United Kingdom highly values Kuwait’s efforts to support constructive solutions to regional challenges and considers Kuwait a key partner in its long-term strategy toward the Gulf region.

Regarding the future of bilateral relations, the British ambassador affirmed that the prospects for cooperation between the two countries are promising, and that the coming phase will focus on expanding the partnership in sectors that contribute to shaping the future of the economy and security.

He clarified that British priorities include continuing to deepen military cooperation, enhancing joint training programs, exploring opportunities for collaboration in emerging technologies and cybersecurity, and developing future defense capabilities, with continued defense cooperation remaining one of the main pillars of bilateral relations.

On the economic front, he noted there are significant opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investments, affirming that the United Kingdom remains a primary destination for Kuwaiti investments, while British companies continue to contribute to supporting economic development in Kuwait and achieving the goals of the “New Kuwait 2035” vision.

He added that his country looks forward to enhancing cooperation with Kuwait in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital technologies, clean energy, healthcare, higher education, and financial services, thereby supporting efforts toward economic diversification and innovation in both countries.

He pointed out that the conclusion of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, announced on May 20, 2026, represents an important milestone in strengthening economic and commercial relations between the two sides.

He noted that the agreement, once it enters into force, will help reduce trade barriers, improve market access, and open new horizons for companies and investors in Kuwait and the United Kingdom, while also enhancing cooperation in the services and digital trade sectors.

He emphasized that this step aligns with the shared ambitions of both countries in the areas of economic diversification, innovation, and strengthening long-term commercial and investment partnerships.

Regarding mechanisms to develop bilateral relations, Ambassador Rashid stated that the Kuwaiti-British Strategic Dialogue and regular high-level meetings provide an important framework for identifying new cooperation opportunities and following up on the implementation of joint initiatives across various sectors.

Concluding his interview with KUNA, British Ambassador Qudsi Rashid reaffirmed that the shared ambition of Kuwait and the United Kingdom is to build a modern, innovative partnership that looks to the future and delivers sustainable benefits for both countries and their friendly peoples.