Since its independence in 1961, Kuwait has maintained strong international relations with most countries, especially nations within the Arab world. Its vast oil reserves give it a prominent voice at the global economic forums and organizations like the OPEC. Kuwait is also a major ally of ASEAN, a regional ally of China, and a major non-NATO ally of the United States.[1][2][3]
In November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1992), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah Island islands; ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands are disputed by Saudi Arabia. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue to negatotiate a joint maritime boundary with Iran; no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the Persian Gulf.
Kuwait, is a member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, which includes, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. These countries, have solid, and unbreakable bilateral relations. Citizens of these countries, may enter other GCC, country with their national ID. GCC citizens are allowed to reside at any other GCC, nation an unlimited period of time. They also follow the same economic plan, and give each other military, and Intelligence support. They also have similar, educational, social, plans. The GCC countries, discuss their foreign policies, as they try to maintain similar foreign policies. These six monarchies are also known as the oil-rich countries of the Middle East.
Country Formal Relations Began Notes Armenia 8 July 1994Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 September 1971[175]
China and Kuwait established diplomatic relations on 22 March 1971.[176] In 2007, Kuwait exported $2.3 billion worth of goods to China ($2.1 billion of which was oil) and Kuwait imported $1.3 billion of goods from China.
In 2007, Kuwait supplied China with 95,000 barrels (15,100 m3) of oil per day, accounting for 2.6% of China's total crude oil imports. Saudi Arabia was China's top supplier with its shipments jumping 69.8 percent to 3.84 million tons (939,000 bbl/d), followed by Angola with 2.06 million tons (503,000 bbl/d), down 27.1 percent. Iran became third, with imports from the country shrinking 35.3 percent to 1.18 million tons (289,000 bbl/d). China is the world's second-biggest oil consumer after the US. Abdullatif Al-Houti, managing director of International Marketing at state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), told KUNA in October that Kuwait is on course for its China-bound crude oil export target of 500,000 bbl/d (79,000 m3/d) by 2015, but success will heavily depend on the Sino-Kuwaiti refinery project. The two countries have been in talks for the planned 300,000 bbl/d (48,000 m3/d) refinery in China's southern Guangdong Province. The complex is expected to be on-stream by 2020.[177][178][179]
In July 2018, the State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence signed an agreement with the Government of Kuwait to increase cooperation in the defense industry.[180] China also agreed to increase investment in the Kuwaiti energy sector.[180]
In July 2019, UN ambassadors of 37 countries, including Kuwait, have signed a joint letter to the UNHRC defending China's treatment of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region.[181]
In June 2020, Kuwait was one of 53 countries backed the Hong Kong national security law at the United Nations.[182]
Georgia 3 September 1992 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 September 1992.Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 March 1962 when India and Kuwait have decided to raise their diplomatic missions to Embassy level.[13]
India and Kuwait enjoy mutual relationship due to the strategic position of both nations in the important lane of trade and development of Asia.India and Kuwait enjoy traditionally friendly relations. These are based in history and have stood the test of time. Geographic proximity, historical trade links, cultural affinities and presence of a large number of Indian expatriates continue to sustain and nurture this long standing relationship. India has been a natural trading partner and a destination for higher learning. Until 1961, the Indian Rupee was the legal tender in Kuwait. High level visits from India to Kuwait have included those by Vice President of India Dr. Zakir Husain in 1965, by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1981 and by Vice President of India Shri M Hamid Ansari in 2009. High level visits from Kuwait to India have included those by the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah in November 1964, the Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in 1980 and again in 1983 (for the NAM Summit), and the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in 2006.
According to the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior, there are approximately 600,000 Indians, who constitute the largest expatriate community in Kuwait. The Indian community is regarded as the community of first preference among the expatriates in Kuwait. Kuwait views India as a fast-growing economy and a source of highly qualified professional and technical personnel. A large proportion of the Indian expatriates are unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Professionals like engineers, doctors, chartered accountants, scientists, software experts, management consultants, architects; skilled workers like technicians and nurses; semi-skilled workers; retail traders and businessmen are also present in the Indian community.
Of late, there has been an increase in the number of highly qualified Indian experts in hi-tech areas, especially in the software and financial sector in Kuwait. In the field of health, India not only supplies top specialists but also para-medical staff who enjoy high reputation.
The total remittance from Kuwait to India is estimated to be upwards of US$3 billion annually.
Approximately 300 associations exist within the Indian community in Kuwait, representing a variety of regional, professional and cultural interests. Of these, 128 Associations are presently registered with the embassy. Cultural events are organised regularly by these associations through the year, to which leading Indian artistes are often invited.
There are 18 Indian Schools in Kuwait affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi.
Iran 17 December 1961 See Iran–Kuwait relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 17 December 1961.[11]
Iran and Kuwait signed a demarcation agreement in 1965.[183]
On 13 July 2008, Kuwait's Speaker of the Parliament Jassem Al-Kharafi publicly accused the West of provoking Iran on the nuclear issue. In his interview with state-owned Kuwait TV, Al-Kharafi said, "What is happening is that there are provocative Western statements, and Iran responds in the same way... I believe that a matter this sensitive needs dialogue not escalation, and it shouldn't be dealt with as if Iran were one of America's states."[184]
Iraq 10 January 1964 See Iraq–Kuwait relations, Kurdistan Region–Kuwait relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 10 January 1964.[27]
Diplomatic relations severed on 2 August 1990 when then Iraqi president Saddam Hussein sent his forces to occupy the small Gulf emirate and restore diplomatic relations on 2 August 2004.[185] On March 2, 2021, Iraqi official said that Iraq has so far paid $49.5 billion in war reparations to Kuwait.
Mazhar Salih, an adviser to the Prime Minister, told Al-Sabaah newspaper that Iraq's dues now amount to only $2.5 billion.[186]
Israel See Israel–Kuwait relationsKuwait has no diplomatic ties with Israel, and boycotts Israeli products.[187] In January 2014, Kuwait boycotted a renewable energy conference attended by Israel in Abu Dhabi, because Kuwait opposes normalization of ties with Israel.[188]
In December 2008, Kuwaiti lawmakers protested in front of the Kuwait National Assembly Building against Israel during the Gaza War. The Kuwaiti lawmakers burned Israeli flags, waved banners reading, "No to hunger, no to submission" and chanted "Allahu Akbar". Israel launched air strikes against Hamas in the Gaza Strip on December 26 after Hamas launched rockets into the Israeli town of Sderot following the expiration of a six-month ceasefire on December 18. On January 3, 2009, MPs protested in front of the National Assembly again.[189] After Friday prayers on January 8, 2009, Jamaan Al-Harbash and several other MPs urged Arab leaders to take a stronger stand against the Israeli attacks and open Rafah Crossing to end an embargo imposed by Israel on the residents of Gaza.[190]
In November 2012, Kuwait and the World Bank concluded an agreement according to which Kuwait contributed a US$50 million grant to the World Bank's Palestinian Reform and Development Program (PRDP).[191]
Japan 8 December 1961Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 December 1961.[192]
The two nations have agreed to work together on the security of the oil trade route that connects them.[193]
Lebanon 27 September 1961 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 1961[194]Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 March 1965[195]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 July 1963 when Kuwait opens embassy in Islamabad.[198]
The relationship between Kuwait and Pakistan are exemplary, brotherly, historical and deep based on shared history, traditions and common culture.[199] Kuwait and Pakistan have always enjoyed deep economic and cultural ties.[200]
After the end of the first Gulf War in 1991 Pakistani army engineers were involved in a programme of mine clearance in the country.[201] Kuwait was also the first country to send aid to isolated mountain villages in Kashmir after the quake of 2005,[202] also offering the largest amount of aid in the aftermath of the quake ($100m).[203]
Qatar 15 December 1971 See Kuwait–Qatar relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 15 December 1971.[67]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 October 1961.[8]
Although Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have good relations and cooperate within OPEC and the GCC, Riyadh disputes Kuwait's ownership of the Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands.[204]
The Republic of Korea and Kuwait have had diplomatic relations since 11 June 1979.[205] On 2 March 2015, foreign minister Yun Byung-se and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah signed a bilateral Agreement on the mutual waiver of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official, and special passports in the presence of the heads of state of the Republic of Korea and Kuwait.[206]
Syria 24 October 1963 See Kuwait–Syria relationsBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 24 October 1963[207]
Kuwait–Syria relations became somewhat strained due to the Syrian Civil War after Kuwait closed its embassies along with the rest of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf. Bilaterial relations have since come to focus on humanitarian efforts for Syria instead. For example, Kuwait has hosted three international pledging conferences in 2013, 2014 and 2015, raising 1.5bn,[208] 2.4bn[209] and 3.8bn[210] respectively. Relations between the two countries have since normalized.
In 2016, Kuwait co-hosted the Supporting Syria and the Region Conference in London along with the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Germany and Norway.[211] The conference resulted in a record $10 billion pledge.[211]
Turkey 10 January 1964 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 January 1964[28]The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Turkey describes the current relations at "outstanding levels".[212] Bilateral trade between the two countries is worth around $275 million. The two countries have recently signed fifteen agreements for cooperation in tourism, health, environment, economy, commercial exchange and oil.[213]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 March 1972[71]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 January 1976[214]
Kuwait was the first country in the GCC that Vietnam chose to establish its trade representative office in 1993, and embassy in 2003. The former Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in 2009 visited each other's countries.[215]
YemenAs a member of the UN Security Council in 1990 and 1991, Yemen abstained on a number of resolutions concerning the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and voted against the "use of force resolution." Kuwait responded by cancelling aid programs, cutting diplomatic contact, and expelling thousands of Yemeni workers.[216]
Country Formal Relations Began Notes Albania 8 August 1968 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 August 1968[55] Kuwait – Albania friendship monumentAlbania and Kuwait are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The restoration of Skanderbeg Square in Albanian capital Tirana is funded by a grant from the State of Kuwait.
Cyprus and Kuwait can be described as excellent with various exchange visits between the two countries.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 April 1964.[218]
On 6 November 2006, the Kuwaiti parliament voted 22–15 to approve severing diplomatic ties with Denmark over the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy and spending about US$50 (€39.20) million to defend Muhammad's image in the West. Both votes were nonbinding, meaning the Cabinet does not have to abide by them. Kuwaiti lawmaker Abdulsamad voted in favor of cutting diplomatic ties, saying, "We have to cut diplomatic and commercial ties with Denmark...We don't have to eat Danish cheese."[219] Al-Rashid voted against cutting diplomatic ties, arguing that Muslims have to be positive and remember that it were some individuals, not governments, who insulted Muhammad. Al-Rashid was quoted as saying, "We here in Kuwait curse Christians in many of our mosques, should those (Christian) countries boycott Kuwait?"[219]
FranceBoth countries established diplomatic relations on 3 January 1965[221]
Greece was one of the 34 member countries in the coalition which assisted in the liberation of Kuwait from Iraq in 1991 during the Gulf War. Greece also participated in the UNICOM mission to patrol the demilitarized zone along the Kuwait-Iraq border.[222]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 April 1964[227]
Kuwait established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 8 November 1961.[228]
The UK governed Kuwait from 1899 to 1961, when it achieved full independence.
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have signed an Investment Agreement.[230] The UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Kuwait is a member, are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement.
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