Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his greetings to Kuwait's new Emir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who was formally sworn in on Wednesday following the death of his predecessor, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Modi took to social media to express his felicitations, stating, "Greetings and felicitations to His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for taking over as the Amir of the State of Kuwait."

The Indian Prime Minister also expressed confidence that the relations between India and Kuwait would further strengthen in the coming years, and that the Indian community in Kuwait would continue to flourish. This sentiment was shared by the government, which had declared state mourning across the country on December 17 as a mark of respect for Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the late Amir of Kuwait. Sheikh Meshal, 83, had been Kuwait's day-to-day ruler during much of Sheikh Nawaf's reign due to his ill health.

The 86-year-old Sheikh Nawaf passed away last Saturday after a prolonged illness, leading to India's announcement of one-day state mourning. In a communication to all states, the Union home ministry said that during the period of state mourning on December 17, the national flag would fly at half-mast and there would be no official entertainment. PM Modi's warm greetings to the new Kuwaiti Emir and his optimistic outlook for the future of India-Kuwait relations is a positive sign for the Indian community in Kuwait. The close and strengthening ties between the two nations under the late Amir's leadership provide hope for continued prosperity and cooperation in the years to come.