India, Kuwait to set up jt mechanism to combat terrorism

I / Kuwait City February 04, 2010, 19:33 IST

Underlining the need to exchange information on terror groups, India and Kuwait have decided to set up a joint mechanism to combat the scourge of terrorism.

The decision to set up 'India-Kuwait Joint Mechanism on Combating International Terrorism' came following a series of meetings External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had with Kuwaiti leaders here.

The discussions on terrorism centred around the need to exchange information on how terror groups operate as well as the question of how the nexus exists among them.

"We have agreed on setting up an India-Kuwait Joint Mechanism on Combating International Terrorism," Krishna, who is the first External Affairs Minister to visit Kuwait since 1992, said.

"The well-being of India and that of this region are inter-linked. We have a vested interest to see that we live in surroundings that are calm, where our peoples have the opportunity to develop and prosper in the shadow of peace," he said.

Besides terrorism, Krishna discussed with Kuwaiti leaders issues related to developments in Pakistan and Afghanistan, energy security, Middle East peace process, developments in Iraq and Iran, UN Security Council reforms, culture and people-to-people contacts.

Krishna, who held meetings with Kuwait Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al Ahmed Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, said the trade between the two countries was growing and India will "continue to tap unexploited potential".

The Minister also said there is considerable scope for "profitable Kuwaiti investments" in India, especially in infrastructure.

Kuwait is an important trading partner for India and the bilateral trade was $8.4 billion in 2007-2008 and is estimated to touch $10.5 billion in 2009-10.

Krishna, who concluded his two-day visit to Kuwait today, said India was committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation in sectors of petro-chemicals, fertilisers, power generation and infrastructure.

The minister said there was a need to look into the requirements of thousands of Indian domestic workers in Kuwait and that the Kuwaiti authorities should think about bringing in a legislation on labour laws to address this issue.

He said he had discussions on this issue with the Kuwaiti leaders.

The Indian community in Kuwait is nearly 600,000-strong at present.