British Ambassador: Commitment to Kuwait's security and sovereignty is firm and solid; defense cooperation is a cornerstone of bilateral relations

- The historical ties uniting the two countries, spanning more than 125 years, represent a robust strategic partnership based on mutual trust.

The British Ambassador to Kuwait, Qudsi Rashid, affirmed on Tuesday his country’s firm commitment to Kuwait’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He emphasized that the historical relations between the two nations, dating back over 125 years, constitute a strong strategic partnership founded 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. He stressed 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 core 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. This reflects the evolution of bilateral relations and their capacity to keep pace with changing circumstances.

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, such as the UK 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 represent 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 covers 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 and to enhance their ability to operate effectively, thereby supporting 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 key historical junctures, and that this stance remains as firm as it was during the liberation of Kuwait.

He clarified that during recent regional tensions, the United Kingdom has worked closely with the State of 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 security of partners.

He added that these efforts once again demonstrated the pragmatic 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 is highly respected 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, considering Kuwait a key partner in its long-term strategy toward the Gulf region.

Regarding the future of bilateral relations, the British ambassador emphasized 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 explained that British priorities include continuing to deepen military cooperation, enhancing joint training programs, and exploring opportunities for collaboration in emerging technologies, cybersecurity, and the development of future defense capabilities, with defense cooperation remaining a key pillar 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 a significant milestone in strengthening economic and commercial relations between the two sides.

He noted that, upon its entry into force, the agreement will help reduce trade barriers, improve market access, and open new horizons for businesses and investors in Kuwait and the United Kingdom, alongside enhancing cooperation in 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 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 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.