UK Ambassador to Kuwait: Our commitment to Kuwait's security and sovereignty is firm and solid, and defense cooperation is a cornerstone of bilateral relations

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

In an exclusive 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 forged over more than a century remain vital 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 offered 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’s Senior Defense Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa, Vice Admiral Edward Algren. He emphasized that these meetings reflect the depth of the strategic partnership and renew the UK’s commitment to standing by Kuwait in 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, noting that bonds solidified during Kuwait’s liberation in 1991 continue to form a solid foundation for close cooperation and mutual trust between the armed forces of both countries.

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, noting 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 and to enhance their ability to operate effectively, thereby supporting regional security and stability.

On regional security developments, Ambassador Rashid stated that the UK’s commitment to Kuwait’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity is unwavering, affirming that his country has stood by Kuwait at pivotal historical moments and that this stance remains as firm as it was during Kuwait’s liberation.

He clarified 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 Rasheed 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 next 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 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, emphasizing that the United Kingdom remains a primary destination for Kuwaiti investments, while British companies continue to support economic development in Kuwait and help achieve the goals of the “New Kuwait 2035” vision.

He added that his country looks forward to strengthening 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 enhancing 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 businesses and investors in Kuwait and the United Kingdom, while also strengthening cooperation in the services and digital trade sectors.

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

Regarding mechanisms to develop bilateral relations, Ambassador Rasheed 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 Rasheed emphasized 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.