By IANS,
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna heads for a three-day trip to Kuwait Friday to represent India in the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of independence of the oil-rich state.
Kuwait is home to around 600,000 Indians who work in diverse fields such as banking, petroleum companies, investment funds and IT firms. They also form the back-up community who keep the wheels of day-to-day life running through jobs such as cooks and chauffeurs.
India is also keen to tap Kuwaiti investment particularly in the infrastructure sector. During his visit Krishna is also expected to have high-level bilateral meetings.
Kuwait is holding celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of its Independence Feb 25, 20th anniversary of Liberation Feb 26, and fifth anniversary of the Amir’s accession to office Jan 29. The month-long celebrations commenced Jan 26, which is also India’s Republic Day.
Kuwait gained independence from Britain June 19, 1961. In May 1964, a formal decision was made to celebrate Kuwait’s National Day on Feb 25, in honour of the late Amir Sheikh Abd Allah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, whose rule had began the same day in 1950. Kuwait was liberated from Iraqi occupation Feb 26, 1991.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, became the 15th Amir of the State of Kuwait Jan 29, 2006.