Indians in Kuwait and Gulf countries: A look at numbers

Tragedy in Kuwait: Indian government offers compensation, highlights historical ties, and aims to strengthen bilateral relations with Kuwait. Here’s a look at Indians in Kuwait and Gulf countries from The Hindu.

The story so far: Around 40 Indians were killed in a massive fire that erupted in a building in Kuwait’s southern district of Al-Mangaf. A total of at least 49 migrant workers were killed in the fire that broke out in an apartment building in Al Ahmadi Governorate early on Wednesday. At least 50 other people were injured in the incident.

Also Read : Kuwait fire updates: Highlights on June 13

The Kerala government on Thursday announced ₹5 lakh ex gratia compensation to families of people from the State who died in the Kuwait fire tragedy and ₹1 lakh for those who were injured. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh has reached Kuwait to oversee assistance to Indians injured in the accident.

Indians have a significant presence in Kuwait, and the two countries have historically enjoyed cordial relations. In fact, the Indian rupee was legal tender in Kuwait for over a century until 1961. Currently, almost a million NRIs live in Kuwait, making it the largest expatriate community in the country.

According to data collected by the Embassy of India in Kuwait, Indians make up 21% of Kuwait’s total population and 30% of its total workforce. The Gulf War in the early 1990s had a considerable impact on the Indian population in Kuwait, with over 1.7 lakh Indians requiring to be evacuated by sea and air (via Jordan) by the Government of India, but most of them gradually returned as conditions in the country improved. Palestinians made up the largest expatriate community in Kuwait before the liberation war, but their numbers dwindled and Indians overtook them.

From a manpower perspective, Kuwait is an important country for India. Yet, no strategic partnerships between India and Kuwait existed as of July 2023, according to Ausuf Sayeed, former Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs).

“However, we are keen to elevate the relationship with Kuwait... we have been engaging with Kuwait and we have recently concluded the Foreign Office Consultations. Kuwait is a very important country from our manpower perspective,” Dr. Sayeed was quoted as saying in a parliamentary standing committee report.