India-Kuwait JDC holds inaugural meeting in New Delhi

The inaugural meeting of the India-Kuwait Joint Defence Committee (JDC) was held in New Delhi on Friday, with both countries agreeing to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation across several key areas,according to media reports.The discussions covered training, military exercises, military medicine, staff talks, defence industry and research and development (R&D), according to the Ministry of Defence.

Joint Secretary Shri Amitabh Prasad co-chaired the inaugural meeting of India-Kuwait Joint Defence Committee (JDC) in New Delhi on August 28, 2026. Brig. Gen. Raed Alsakran led the delegation from Kuwaiti side. Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral defence ties in wide range of… pic.twitter.com/lvnkOM5VWU

— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) August 28, 2026

The ministry said the first JDC meeting marked an important step towards operationalising the objectives outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait in December 2024.The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad and Brigadier General Raed Alsakran, who led the five-member Kuwaiti delegation.
The Indian delegation included representatives from the three armed forces, the Department of Defence Production, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Armed Forces Medical Services and the Ministry of External Affairs.
Ahead of the JDC meeting, Brigadier General Raed Alsakran laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi and paid homage to the fallen heroes,according to sources.
The Kuwaiti delegation also visited DPSU Bhawan in New Delhi on the first day of its visit, where discussions were held with representatives of the Indian defence industry on potential areas of mutual cooperation.An industry interaction with the Kuwaiti delegation is also scheduled for the second day of the visit, the Ministry of Defence said.
The engagement is expected to provide an opportunity to explore greater collaboration between Indian and Kuwaiti defence industries, alongside broader cooperation in defence technology and production.India and Kuwait share traditionally warm and friendly relations, rooted in historical ties. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1962.The relationship was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Kuwait in December 2024.Geographical proximity, longstanding trade links, cultural affinities and the presence of a large Indian community in Kuwait continue to strengthen the longstanding and multifaceted relationship between the two countries.