Indo-Kuwait talks decide to network at many levels

Manipal, Jan 16: A two-day extensive preliminary round table conference between Indian and Kuwait groups to help work out a road map for stronger relations, which concluded here today, has decided to network at Governmental and non-governmental levels on several sectors like medical, education, culture and strategic subjects of common interest.

While the Kuwait team was led by Mr Mohammad Al-Badah, Director, Kuwait embassy in New Delhi, the Indian delegation consisted of Mr B Raman, India's top counter-terrorism expert, Chief Advisor of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Prof Y S Rajan, Dr Arvind Kumar of NIAS, Dr A N Roy of the Institute of Social Science, Dr Raj Warrier, the Vice-Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and its Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Pabla.

In his opening remarks, Dr Warrier said it was the first round of talks between the two countries for preparing their 'wish list' in programmes of common interest, which would be followed by preparation of 'list of do-able' and the final stage was the implementation.

Later, Mr Al-Badah told a press conference that the bonds of friendship between Kuwait and India were based on mutual trust, respect, cooperation and special relations deep rooted in history.

He hoped that the new initiative taken by Manipal's Department of Geopolitics would help in building better understanding, cooperation and tie-up in several fields, including trade and commerce, security, education, medicine and culture.

Prof Rajan said Kuwait and India had enough scope to work together in research and development activities in areas like engineering, bio-technology and culture. Several Arabians were settled in the country, which could be of great interest for research, he added.

Geopolitics expert M D Nalpat said the dialogue between India and Kuwait was intended towards promotion of mutual ties.

UNI