India, Kuwait Launch Joint Defence Committee With Inaugural Delhi Talks
India and Kuwait held the inaugural Joint Defence Committee meeting in New Delhi, agreeing to deepen cooperation in training, exercises, and defence industry.
New Delhi hosted the inaugural meeting of the India-Kuwait Joint Defence Committee (JDC) on August 28, 2026, marking a formal step in operationalising the defence cooperation framework agreed upon during the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Kuwait in December 2024.
The session was co-chaired by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad and Brigadier General Raed Alsakran, who led a five-member Kuwaiti delegation. The Indian side drew representatives from the three armed services, the Department of Defence Production, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Armed Forces Medical Services, and the Ministry of External Affairs.
Discussions covered a broad spectrum of bilateral defence engagement, including training programmes, joint military exercises, military medicine, staff talks, defence industry collaboration, and research and development. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation across these areas.
Ahead of the committee meeting, Brigadier General Alsakran paid tribute at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. The Kuwaiti delegation also visited DPSU Bhawan on the first day of their visit for discussions with representatives of the Indian defence industry on potential areas of mutual interest. An additional industry interaction is scheduled for the second day of the visit.
India and Kuwait have maintained diplomatic relations since 1962, with ties elevated to a Strategic Partnership during the December 2024 visit. The relationship is underpinned by geographic proximity, historical trade links, cultural affinities, and the presence of a large Indian community in Kuwait.