Strengthening Kuwait-Asian Alliance: Enhancing Gulf-Asian Relations
In the rapidly emerging international order, Asia has assumed a pivotal role, economically, politically, and in terms of investment influence. Consequently, the first-ever trilateral ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, set to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 27, gains significant importance, due to the call for the strengthening of partnerships through innovation, investment, and closer people-to-people ties from the opening session.
Amid this context, the State of Kuwait, together with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, is actively seeking to strengthen diplomatic ties with major and emerging Asian nations. This strategic vision aims to diversify international relations, ensure economic security, and support sustainable development projects, in line with the 'New Kuwait 2035' vision and the development plans of other GCC states.
Asia, particularly East and South Asia, represents a substantial market for Kuwaiti oil exports, with key consumers including China, India, South Korea, and Japan. These nations heavily rely on energy imports from the Arabian Gulf to cater to their industrial needs. However, the energy sector is not the sole focus; Asian countries are increasingly becoming vital investment and trade partners for Kuwait and the GCC, in areas such as infrastructure, technology, healthcare, and education.
Over the past decade, Kuwait's oil exports to Asia accounted for more than 85 percent of its total oil exports. This interdependence is further solidified by mutual economic integration and investments by the Kuwait Investment Authority in strategic Asian projects, spanning infrastructure, clean energy, and technology.
On the political and diplomatic front, Kuwait is actively strengthening bilateral relations with Asian countries through high-level visits and the signing of economic and security cooperation agreements. Furthermore, Kuwait's membership in regional institutions like the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) bolsters its political presence, acting as a bridge between the Gulf and Asia.
In the realm of energy diplomacy, energy remains a central pillar of Kuwait-Asia relations, transcending oil exports to encompass refining, petrochemicals, and the exchange of renewable energy expertise, especially as Asia escalates its interest in green transformation.
Nevertheless, regional competition for Asian investment and shifting geopolitical dynamics, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz and South China Sea, have delayed some anticipated investment flows between the two sides.
As Kuwait continues to position itself as a bridge between the Gulf and Asia, it is essential to develop clear policies that maximize benefits and ensure the long-term sustainability of this relationship. To that end, GCC countries are encouraged to establish a unified investment framework to enhance legal transparency in partnership projects with Asia. This includes creating permanent committees for Asia partnerships, encompassing public and private sector representatives, and boosting academic and research engagement to shape cooperative technological advancements and sustainable development.
The trilateral summit, co-chaired by Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, as current GCC chair, and China's Premier Li Qiang, serves as an unprecedented platform for collective growth. The grouping generates a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$24.87 trillion and represents 2.15 billion people.
Ibrahim commended the GCC's role in global finance and energy, China's leadership in advanced technology, and ASEAN's record of peaceful integration. He emphasized the summit as a crucial platform for collective growth, highlighting the theme of Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship as inclusivity and sustainability, and referencing historic links from the Silk Road to the Strait of Malacca. Premier Li, on the other hand, urged the creation of a unified, integrated market across the three regions, asserting that their combined quarter share of global population and output could unlock new development momentum.
Li also announced the completion of the upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and stressed the need for swift conclusion of a China-GCC FTA, suggesting that differences in development stages could be leveraged through coordinated strategies. Li endorsed Malaysia's 'Dialogue of Civilizations' initiative and China's Global Civilization Initiative, invoking a metaphor for synergy from Chinese President Xi Jinping, that one plus one plus one is greater than three.
Deepening ties with Asia is a long-term strategic choice for the GCC. A holistic approach that considers economic, legal, and diplomatic dimensions is vital to cement the position of GCC countries as a cultural and economic bridge between the Gulf and Asia. This strategy would promote a model of cooperation based on mutual interests and respect.
Kuwait has signed numerous agreements with several Asian countries, including a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, investment and scientific cooperation agreements with India, agreements in peaceful nuclear energy and technology with South Korea, and a Free Trade Agreement with Malaysia. Moreover, Kuwait is committed to attracting Asian capital to implement 'Kuwait 2035' projects and to exchanging expertise in digital governance, smart cities, and technology localization through academic and industrial partnerships.
Tareq Yousef AlShumaimry has served as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Chairman of the General Budget Committee of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague (PCA) and an observer in the Administrative Council of the Court and the Consular at International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the Netherlands during this period from 2013 to 2020. Email: [email protected]
The strategic partnership between Kuwait and major Asian countries, particularly China, India, South Korea, and Japan, is undergoing significant economic and diplomatic developments. These partnerships are focused on economic integration, investment, and diplomatic cooperation, with a strong emphasis on diversifying the economy and enhancing regional influence. China, in particular, plays a significant role in these efforts through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and cooperation on Kuwait Vision 2035.
The strategic emphasis on technology is evident in the emergence of collaboration between Kuwait and major Asian countries, particularly in areas like infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
To further foster these strategic partnerships, GCC countries are encouraged to boost academic and research engagement, aiming to shape cooperative technological advancements and sustainable development.
