Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic agenda at the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York wasn't just about speeches at the podium. He took the opportunity to engage in bilateral talks with significant regional leaders — Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on September 23, 2024. These discussions targeted pivotal areas that could redefine regional partnerships and cooperation.
Deepening Ties with Nepal
In his meeting with Nepal's leader, KP Sharma Oli, who is back in office for a fourth term, there was a lot of ground to cover. Modi and Oli had a focused debate on collaboration in energy, technology, and trade sectors. This was their first tête-à-tête since Oli resumed his role, and it was a chance to clear the air over the previous border tension concerning Kalapani and Lipulekh. Both leaders highlighted activating the bilateral discussion mechanisms to iron out these wrinkles. Expressing a willing gesture, Modi even toyed with the idea of an imminent visit to Nepal, signifying a strong intent to rebuild a relationship that took a hit during the 2020 territorial dispute.
Oli seemed optimistic post-discussion, asserting that they targeted regional cooperation and development priorities. By addressing trust and communication barriers, India and Nepal aim to move beyond past discord towards more robust and mutually beneficial relations.
Strengthening Historical Bonds with Kuwait
Switching gears, Modi's engagement with Kuwait’s Crown Prince was no less significant. The emphasis was on deepening labor relations, trade, tourism, and investment—a partnership that dates back decades. For those who don’t know, the Indian Rupee was once upon a time legal tender in Kuwait until 1961! Building on this historical camaraderie and celebrating sixty years of diplomatic ties from 2021-2022, both nations are looking to future-proof their relationship by enhancing trade relations.
Bilateral trade has been the foundation stone so far, and the leaders aimed to explore new avenues of cooperation in different sectors. Given the workforce connections with a significant number of Indian expats in Kuwait, labor relations were a key talking point, alongside the logistics of boosting tourism and investment.
Besides these significant meetings, Modi also held a discussion with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, although specifics were kept under wraps. Meanwhile, Oli mingled with Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, discussing multilateral collaborations, and held talks with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to delve into Nepal's progress on transitional justice.
By strategically fostering these bilateral understandings, Modi aims to position India as a pivotal player in shaping a collaborative future in South Asia and beyond.