UNI

New Delhi, Jun 14: Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah is arriving here on Wednesday on a five-day state visit during which he is expected to forge cooperation in the energy sector, identify new areas for investment, and assure support to New Delhi's claim for a permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

Looking forward to making India a strategic partner in peace and Development, the Emir will hold talks with President A P J Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders on wide-ranging issues including development in Iraq, nuclear Iran, and the ongoing Indo-Pak peace talks.

The two countries are set to sign several agreements aimed at expanding trade and commercial activities in the energy, tourism and other sectors.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed was sent to Kuwait specially to invite the Emir even though elections to the Kuwaiti Parliament are due on June 29.

The Emir had been keen to come here at the earliest to reiterate his country's strong and historical ties with India.

Emir Sheikh Sabah, who became the ruler of Kuwait early this year, will be accompanied by a high-level business delegation which will interact with leading Indian industrialists to set up joint ventures in communication and information technology.

Kuwait has been a major supplier of India's energy needs and has supplied 11 million tonnes of crude oil worth 2.5 billion dollars till 2005. While India imports oil and petroleum products from Kuwait, it exports rice, meat products, jewellery and engineering goods to that country.

Kuwait has also extended massive financial assistance to India for a number of projects through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. The assistance has been to the tune of Rs 600 crore for projects such as the Kalinadi hydro electric project, Anpara power plant and Kerala fisheries development scheme.