Sushma Swaraj will visit Qatar, Kuwait to boost ties

New Delhi: External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will continue India’s robust engagement with West Asia by making a four-day visit to Qatar and Kuwait in the region starting October 28.

Her visit to Qatar is particularly significant, given Qatar’s strained ties with much of the Arab world particularly Saudi Arabia which is one of India’s largest oil suppliers. New Delhi has excellent relations with both Qatar and Saudi Arabia and has worked hard to strike a balance.  A large number of Indians also work and stay in the oil-rich region which is of huge strategic significance to India. In a statement, the MEA said, “External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit two countries in the Gulf region from 28 to 31 October 2018 at the invitation of her counterparts. She will have engagements in the State of Qatar from 28 and 29 October 2018 and in the State of Kuwait on 30 and 31 October 2018.”

It further said, “During her visit to Qatar, the minister will interact with her counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and others.