The Indian authorities on Sunday conveyed its deepest condolences to Kuwait on the demise of its Amir, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and declared state mourning throughout the nation on December 17 as a mark of respect.

Sheikh Nawaf died on Saturday on the age of 86, in keeping with the royal court docket, just a bit greater than three years after assuming energy within the West Asian nation. The explanation for his demise was not instantly disclosed. The Amir was admitted to hospital in November because of an emergency well being drawback.

Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, who has been Kuwait’s de facto ruler since 2021, was named as Sheikh Nawaf’s successor.

The exterior affairs ministry mentioned in an announcement that petroleum and pure gasoline minister Hardeep Singh Puri would go to Kuwait because the prime minister’s particular envoy to pay condolences on behalf of the federal government and other people of India. Puri would ship private letters of condolences from the president and prime minister to Sheikh Meshal.

“In the demise of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait has lost a visionary leader who took the country towards progress and prosperity. India and Kuwait maintained close and friendly relations under the leadership of the late Amir,” the assertion mentioned.

Sheikh Nawaf was “steadfast in guiding and strengthening bilateral engagements for the mutual benefit of the people” of India and Kuwait, in keeping with the assertion.

“The large Indian expatriate community in Kuwait will miss his presence and compassionate care. India stands united in mourning with the leadership and the people of Kuwait,” it added.

Kuwait is hometown about a million Indians, the most important expatriate neighborhood within the nation. The expatriates embody professionals corresponding to engineers, medical doctors, chartered accountants, scientists, software program consultants, technicians and nurses, although a big proportion consists of unskilled and semi-skilled employees.

The West Asian state can be amongst India’s key power suppliers and there was shut cooperation between the 2 sides in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. An Indian medical workforce was despatched to Kuwait in a particular plane in April 2020 to assist struggle Covid-19. Kuwait established an air and sea bridge in the course of the second wave of the pandemic to produce oxygen and medical provides to India.