Mubarak Al-Kabeer: Kuwait bestows country's highest civilian honour on PM Modi

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement: "His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait conferred upon Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi The Order of Mubarak Al- Kabeer, the highest national award of Kuwait. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister of Kuwait also graced the occasion."

Prime Minister Modi dedicated the award to the long-standing friendship between India and Kuwait, to the Indian community in Kuwait and to the 1.4 billion people of India.

It is the highest honour of the Gulf nation.

The award was instituted in 1974 and has since been conferred on select global leaders, MEA said.

After Modi arrived at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait, Modi was accorded the Guard of Honour.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X: "PM @narendramodi arrives at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait to a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour. Warmly received by HH Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah."

"Extensive talks with HH the Amir, Crown Prince and PM of Kuwait lie ahead," the X post said.

Indian PM Narendra Modi on Saturday reached Kuwait for his two-day trip to the Gulf nation.

Modi is visiting Kuwait at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait.

Modi attended the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait as a ‘Guest of Honour’.

The event provided an opportunity for an informal interaction of PM Modi with the leadership of Kuwait, an official statement said.

Kuwait is hosting the biennial Arabian Gulf Cup with participation from eight countries, including GCC nations, Iraq, and Yemen.

This football tournament is one of the most prominent sporting events in the region. Kuwait has won the tournament maximum times among the participating countries.