Rihla-e-Dosti: Kuwait Celebrates 250 Years of India-Kuwait Friendship with Historic Exhibition

Kuwait has opened a historic five-day exhibition, "Rihla-e-Dosti: 250 Years of India-Kuwait Friendship," marking a quarter-millennium of strong relationship between the two nations. The five-day event, which opened at the National Library in Kuwait City with the Indian Ambassador Adarsh Swaika and NCCAL Director General Mohammad Al-Jassar, is a colorful journey through centuries of cultural, economic, and maritime interactions.

 

Key Highlights

 

Displaying Joint Heritage: The exhibition includes unique artefacts, manuscripts, Indian currency (which was legal tender in Kuwait until 1961), books, stamps, and photographs of Indian and Kuwaiti leaders. They chart the development of India-Kuwait relations since the 18th century up to the current era.

 

Historic Trade Connections: A panel discussion highlighted leading Kuwaiti merchant families that have long historical connections to India, recounting narratives of trade in dates, wood, and pearls, and describing the establishment of Kuwaiti ships at Indian ports in 1775. The trade routes played a significant role in developing Kuwait as a crucial maritime center.

 

Cultural Diplomacy: The exhibition was organized by the Indian Embassy in collaboration with Kuwait's NCCAL, Kuwait Heritage Society, and India's Ministry of External Affairs and highlights the central position of culture and arts in generating mutual understanding and people-to-people connections.

 

Educational Focus: A booklet of choice photographs was published to involve the younger generations and emphasize the dense, shared history of both nations.

 

Looking Ahead: Leaders from the two countries underlined the need to further develop this legacy, with the exhibition providing a platform for fresh cultural and economic cooperation.

 

This commemoration not only celebrates an impressive shared history but also paves the way for more collaboration and amity in years to come.

 

Sources: Morung Express, The Hans India, Bharat Express, Times Kuwait