Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar started for Kuwait via Doha (Qatar) transit on Wednesday to thank for their support during the second wave of Covid-19 in the country.
Both the countries extended help, during the crisis that India faced, either by sending medical equipment or oxygen cylinders to manage the situation.
Qatar helped India by standing as a logistics and transportation hub to western India, while Kuwait sent oxygen cylinders and other medical equipment to India.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar is carrying Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal letter for Emir Sheikh Nawaf al Ahmad Nasser al Mohammad al Sabah of Kuwait. He will also meet his counterpart Sheikh Ahmed Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah to review and deepen the trade and energy ties between India and Kuwait.
The Indian External Affairs Minister is scheduled to travel from Kuwait to Kenya.
During the crucial second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in India, Kuwait supplied 5,267 oxygen cylinders, 450 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen, 66 oxygen concentrators, and 11 ventilators. It also sent items like drugs, oximeters, mask and gloves for India in its hour of crisis.
During a stopover in Doha S Jaishankar met the Qatari National Security Adviser while on his way to Kuwait on Wednesday.
There was no scheduled meeting of S Jaishankar with the Qatari officials despite using Doha transit. His details about meeting Qatari NSA Mohamed bin Ahmed al Mesned emerged from his tweet which said, “A pleasure to meet Qatari NSA Mohamed bin Ahmed al Mesned. Appreciate his insights on developments in the region and beyond. Thanked him for the support and solidarity in India’s fight against Covid.”