Kuwait Amir arrives on six-day state visit

New Delhi, June 14: Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrived here today on a six-day state visit, the first by a ruler of the Gulf country in more than 20 years.

The Amir was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed who had especially gone to Kuwait to invite him.

During his visit, India and Kuwait will ink three pacts-- Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty (DTAT), Agreement on Drugs and Narcotics and Agreement on Cooperation in Culture.

With Kuwait deciding to open its oil and petroleum sector to private players, the oil-rich country is likely to seek investment in this field.

The two countries would also explore ways to increase cooperation in the energy sector and hold discussions on setting up a mechanism for joint fight against terror.

The Amir will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and meet President A P J Abdul Kalam, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Leader of the Oppostion L K Advani.

He will exchange views with Indian leaders on wide-ranging issues including development in Iraq, nuclear Iran, and the ongoing Indo-Pak peace talks.

He is expected to assure support to New Delhi's claim for a permanent membership of the UN Security Council, and reiterate his country's strong and historical ties with India.

The Amir, accompanied by a high-level business delegation, will travel to Mumbai on June 17 to interact with leading industrialists.

Kuwait has been a major supplier of India's energy needs and has supplied 11 million tonnes of crude oil worth 2.5 billion dollars till 2005.

While India imports oil and petroleum products from Kuwait, it exports rice, meat products, jewellery and engineering goods to that country.

Kuwait has also extended massive financial assistance to India for a number of projects through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. The assistance has been to the tune of Rs 600 crore for projects such as the Kalinadi hydro electric project, Anpara power plant and Kerala fisheries development scheme.

UNI