British Ambassador: UK Considers Kuwait a Key Partner in Its Long-Term Gulf Strategy

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

In an 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 highly relevant 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 affirmed 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 emphasized that military relations constitute one of the strongest pillars of the Kuwaiti-British partnership. He noted that the bonds solidified 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 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 strengthening readiness and the ability to confront current and future security challenges, noting that recent visits by senior British military officials have helped enhance 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 the security developments in the region, Ambassador Rashid said that the UK’s commitment to Kuwait’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity is steadfast and unwavering. He affirmed that his country has stood by Kuwait during pivotal historical moments and that this stance remains as firm as it was during the liberation of Kuwait.

He explained that during recent regional tensions, the UK 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 considerable respect as a key regional partner due to its consistent approach based on dialogue, diplomacy, and de-escalation.”

Regarding the future of bilateral relations, the British ambassador emphasized 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.

On the economic front, he noted there are significant opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investments, reaffirming 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 a significant milestone in enhancing economic and commercial relations between the two sides.

He noted that once the agreement enters into force, it will help reduce trade barriers, improve market access, and open new horizons for companies 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 aspirations of both countries in the areas of economic diversification, innovation, and the enhancement of long-term commercial and investment partnerships.