Mehta seeks to enrich and energize Kuwait-India ties

Satish C Mehta took over as the new Ambassador of India to Kuwait a few days ago. This is his first appointment in this important region, offering many challenges and opportunities to his 28-year-long diplomatic career. Mehta told the Kuwait Times in an exclusive interview that he is quite honored to be India's new ambassador to Kuwait, a country with which India enjoys very close relations. Simple and unassuming, Mehta spoke at length about many topics ranging from diplomacy to community issues. I had heard a lot about the rich traditions and customs as well as the warmth and large-heartedness of the Kuwaiti people. I have been fortunate to have already experienced the warmth and cordiality of the government, and the people of Kuwait towards India. In less than two days of my arrival in Kuwait, I was able to present my credentials to His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait. I could not have expected a better beginning. It would be my endeavor to further expand, enrich and energize India's cl ose relations with Kuwait," he stated. Bilateral ties India-Kuwait bilateral relations are historically close, dating back more than three centuries. Geographic proximity, trade links, cultural affinities, shared values and presence of a large number of Indian expatriates in Kuwait continue to sustain and nurture this relationship," he said. To him, Kuwait is part of India's extended neighborhood as it is home to a large expatriate community from India. Tracing the historical footprints of the bilateral relations, he said Kuwait and India have been natural trading partners for long. "In earlier days, enterprising Kuwaitis used to voyage to India on dhows carrying dates that were traded for wood, rope, rice, tiles, cloth and spices from India. Good quality timber like teak, brought from India, was used for shipbuilding in Kuwait. Until 1961, Indian rupee was the legal tender in Kuwait. Kuwaitis retain fond memories of their linkages with India, which they recall nostalgically in diwaniya meetings," he mentioned. Talking about the strong political relations, he said they have been constantly nourished by regular high-level visits from both sides. "The visit of His Highness the Amir in 2006 was an important milestone in our relations. From the Indian side, in recent years, India's Vice President visited Kuwait in 2009 and External Affairs Minister in 2010 and 2011. Various institutional mechanisms to enhance these relations have also been put in place," he added. Trade relations In the area of commerce, India has consistently been among the top trading partners of Kuwait. India-Kuwait bilateral trade grew from $6.6 billion in 2006-07 to over $9 billion in 2009-10, dominated by export of oil and oil products from Kuwait to India. There are ample indications that the figure for 2010-11 would be well over $10 billion. Kuwait is the second largest supplier of crude oil to India from the Gulf region, providing 10 to 11 percent of India's crude oil imports. Many leading Indian companies have their presence in Kuwait, especially in the petroleum and power sectors, he pointed out. To another question, Mehta said the Indian community in Kuwait is present practically in every sector: professionals like engineers, doctors, lawyers and chartered accountants, scientists, software experts, management consultants, architects, skilled workers like technicians and nurses, semi-skilled workers, unskilled workers, domestic workers, retail traders and businessmen. "Indians have a reputation for being sincere, loyal, hard-working, talented and law-abiding. Indians are considered to be the commun ity of first preference by their hosts. I see our community as a source of strength as it contributes much to promoting closer relations between India and Kuwait," he stated. Consular services As Indians in Kuwait come from different social, economic and linguistic backgrounds, their expectations from the embassy and the Ambassador reflect their diversity, he answered a question regarding the embassy's services. "It will be our earnest endeavor to meet their expectations as well as we can, even though our resources and means are modest," he said. To meet the growing demand for various services, the embassy had outsourced its consular services (visa and passport services) in May 2009 with the establishment of two service centers at Sharq and Fahaheel. Despite some teething troubles, these service centers are operating satisfactorily today. The feedback I have received so far is positive. Immediately after taking charge, I visited these service centers in order to personally assess the quality of services provided by them. We would strive to constantly improve the service delivery through close engagement with the service provider as well as with users and address any difficulties that the users may witness. We, therefore, elicit objective user feedback and suggestions," he said. Mehta joined the Indian Foreign Service(IFS) in 1983. After serving in various capacities in Indian embassies in France, Cote d'Ivoire and Italy in 1980s and 1990s, he was political advisor to the UN Head of Mission in Haiti during the UN Peace Keeping Operations during 1995-96. From 1999-2002, he served as Political Counselor in the Indian mission to the United Nations in New York from where he served as Consul-General in Toronto, Canada. At headquarters, Mehta has served as Director in Office of the Prime Minister of India from 1997 to 1999, and before that, as undersecretary in BSM Division that deals with India's southern neighbors in early 90s. Before taking up the assignment in Kuwait, Mehta headed the Northern Division that deals with Nepal and Bhutan-two of India's closes t neighbors. Mehta is married to Preeti Mehta and has two sons who are working abroad. Mehta, who studied in the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, is also a qualified chartered accountant.