Union minister Puri reaches Kuwait to pay condolences over demise of Emir

Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday arrived in Kuwait as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special envoy to pay condolences over the demise of Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on behalf of the government and the people of India.

Puri will also deliver personal letters of condolences from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi to Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the new Emir of Kuwait, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

Emir Jaber Al-Sabah, who played a key role in boosting India-Kuwait relations, died at the age of 86 on Saturday.

"India stands united in mourning with the leadership and the people of Kuwait," the MEA said, adding that the large Indian expatriate community in that country will miss his "presence and compassionate care".

New Delhi has already declared a "State mourning" on Sunday as a mark of respect for the departed leader.

In the demise of Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait has lost a visionary leader who took the country towards progress and prosperity, the MEA said on Sunday.

"The government and people of India express their deepest condolences on the passing away of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait on December 16," it said in a statement.

"Hardeep Singh Puri, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs, will be visiting Kuwait as the prime minister's special envoy on December 17 to pay condolences on behalf of the government and the people of India," it said.

The MEA also referred to the role the late Emir played in strengthening India-Kuwait ties.

"India and Kuwait maintained close and friendly relations under the leadership of the late Amir. He was steadfast in guiding and strengthening bilateral engagements for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries," it said.

In a post on 'X', Puri said he joined the Indian ambassador and officials of the Indian embassy in the Gulf nation to observe two minutes of silence as a mark of respect on the "sad demise" of the Emir.

"The tricolour flies at half mast as I join Indian ambassador & officials of @indembkwt to observe two minutes of silence as a mark of respect on the sad demise of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the state of Kuwait," he said.

"Have arrived in Kuwait as PM @narendramodi Ji's special envoy to deliver personal letters of condolences from the President & Prime Minister of India to the new Amir of Kuwait HH Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah," Puri added.