Being very popular in Gulf nations, Modi can win elections even in Kuwait and Dubai: Dr Chandra

Renowned for his in-depth take on the recent political developments, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra covers a wide range of topics related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interactions with Kuwait and the broader Gulf region in the latest episode of The JC Show. Modi’s popularity in the Gulf, especially in Kuwait, is highlighted, by him being honoured with the highest civilian award, “The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabir.” Dr Chandra revealed that the discussions between Modi and the Amir of Kuwait focused on cross-border terrorism, anti-jihad measures, and the importance of destroying terrorist funding networks. Furthermore, Dr Chandra touched on the growing India-Kuwait strategic partnership, focusing on defence, energy, and other key areas. Additionally, Modi’s visits to smaller nations like Fiji and Guyana, his efforts in diplomacy, and his dedication to fulfilling citizens’ wishes are discussed. Lastly, he also explored Modi’s stance on regional issues such as the Ukraine-Russia war and the Middle East’s ongoing conflicts...

• Today’s JC Show headline is ‘...and now Namo-Namo in Kuwait’... What is the meaning of this?
  Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: Narendra Modi has emerged as one of the heroes in the entire Kuwait region. In fact, by now, he is one of the most popular figures in all Gulf countries. Whether it’s UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, or any other nation, Modi is well-regarded. A prominent journalist in Kuwait has written that Narendra Modi is an “International Gulf Hero.” I have friends in Qatar, and when I asked them about his visit, they said that “Namo-Namo” had taken over Kuwait. He is so popular there that if he contested elections, he would win. This shows how popular Narendra Modi has become in Gulf countries. He has become a brand, which is a matter of pride for the 140 crore people of India. Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait was a super hit from every angle.

• Once again, the Muslim nation of Kuwait has honoured Narendra Modi with its highest civilian award, “The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabir.” How do you view the growing popularity of Narendra Modi in Muslim countries?
  I believe there is a growing debate in Muslim nations. There is a kind of competition among these countries to honour Narendra Modi. In the past 11 years, he has made more than 14 visits to Gulf countries. He has visited the UAE seven times, Qatar twice, Saudi Arabia twice, and Bahrain once. The most significant thing is that all Muslim nations have honoured him. This was his 20th award, and Narendra Modi is the first leader in the world to have received such a large number of honours. This is a pleasant contradiction for both BJP and Narendra Modi. In India, his image is that of a proHindu leader, a pro-Hindu Prime Minister. He may be neutral, but there is a perception of him as a pro-Hindu leader. In the Gulf, his role is seen as that of a secular ruler. As I have said before, Narendra Modi is a miracle on the soil of India. That is why voices from various parts of the country are raised that “Modi hai to mumkin hai” (If Modi is there, it’s possible).

• What is the reason that after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, the Islamic nations of the Gulf stopped supporting Pakistan on the Kashmir issue?
  They have reconciled with the ground realities of Article 370. Everyone sees their own business interests. India is a large market of 140 crore people. Narendra Modi’s aura influences everyone. By now, Narendra Modi has penetrated so deeply into all these countries. This is a great diplomatic success for Narendra Modi.

• It is being said that India and Kuwait have raised their relationship to a strategic partnership. What does this mean?
  They have shifted from a transactional relationship to a strategic relationship. From a simple relationship, they are now engaging in a diplomatic one. Narendra Modi has said that they are looking to strengthen ties and have moved beyond the past. Now, this relationship has been elevated to a strategic partnership. I am optimistic that this will continue to grow in the coming days. India and Kuwait are not only business partners, oil partners, or trade partners. Apart from their long historical ties, they share a common agenda, which is to maintain peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the Gulf region and beyond. Together, they aim to promote peace and security in the East-West region.

• What areas will the focus of this strategic partnership lie in?
  The focus areas include defence cooperation, energy, health, oil, education, solar energy, pharma, and IT infrastructure. These are the main areas of cooperation. Moving forward, there will be stronger bilateral agreements and collaborations in these sectors. These are the basic areas of focus for the future.

• Prime Minister Modi, while addressing the Indian community in Kuwait, said, “I have come here to celebrate your success.” What did the Prime Minister mean by this?
  This was to boost their morale. He wanted to say, “I am proud of your achievements.” He also emphasized how much India contributes. There are workers, teachers, nurses, and doctors from India working in Kuwait across various sectors. Modi wanted to convey that the government of Kuwait appreciates their contribution, and so does India. He said, “I have not come just to meet you, I have come here to celebrate your success.” The Crown Prince of Kuwait also praised the Indian community for their contributions to nationbuilding. It is rare for a ruler of another country to praise your people, and Modi shared his joy with the community. That’s why he said, “I have come here to celebrate your success.”

• Prime Minister Modi has said, “India-Middle East Economic Corridor to give a new direction to the world.” What is the future of this corridor?
  The corridor is a great initiative, starting from the US, passing through Israel, and connecting to India. This will establish connections between India and the US, India, and Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries. It is a huge effort to promote business activities. The question is, when will it be implemented? With the arrival of Trump, we are unsure about the future of this plan. It was originally Biden’s project. We have to see how Biden’s plans are executed. Right now, the project is on hold, but Narendra Modi is right when he says that if this project moves forward, it will change the direction of global business. It is an ambitious project that will benefit all participating countries. Let’s see how it picks up after Trump’s involvement.

• Why is Prime Minister Modi visiting smaller countries like Fiji and Guyana these days?
  The most important reason is to promote smart diplomacy, extending India’s influence globally. Narendra Modi himself has become a global brand. His travels foster a sense of belonging among Indians worldwide. Over time, these visits help expand trade, strengthen bilateral agreements, and explore new development opportunities. Such tours reflect his desire to break records. He sees himself following in the footsteps of Indira Gandhi, visiting countries where no Indian Prime Minister has gone before. He aims to create progress, drawing lines for future growth. This drive to expand relations is what inspires him to travel. It brings great results in terms of business, connectivity, and image. It is a good diplomatic move.

• How did Narendra Modi fulfil the last wish of a retired IFS officer living in Kuwait, who was 101 years old?
  This officer had a wish, and as I said before, Narendra Modi has many devotees worldwide. A person sitting in Kuwait, a 101-year-old retired IFS officer, wished to meet him. His granddaughter wrote a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office. This letter, which would have been ignored for a year in many government offices, was promptly addressed by the PMO. They responded that they would fulfil the officer’s wish. Narendra Modi visited him, kept his promise, and the officer’s last wish was fulfilled. They took a photo together. This is human touch and human management in action. It was touching to see how much the Prime Minister cares. The PMO’s efficiency is commendable. I salute the PMO for their communication management.

• Was there any discussion on the situation in West Asia, the fall of the Syrian president, the Ukraine-Russia war, or the Iran-Israel conflict during Modi’s visit?
  Certainly, all the Gulf countries are affected by the ongoing wars. Everyone is influenced by these conflicts, whether it’s the situation in Israel, Syria, Gaza, or Palestine. There was a discussion about this. India’s stance is clear: we are very concerned with establishing peace and security in the entire region. India has always called for peace. Modi took the opportunity to release a joint statement with the leaders of Kuwait. The message was clear: they want peace and are committed to maintaining it. It was a good message for both the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince of Kuwait.

• What discussions took place between Narendra Modi and the Amir of Kuwait regarding the fight against terrorism?
  The discussions covered several important points. One of the main topics was cross-border terrorism. There was also talk about anti-jihad measures, specifically against Islamic jihad, which is responsible for creating terrorism. We need to create an environment against such ideologies. We also discussed the necessity of destroying the network that protects and funds these activities. Both countries agreed to take joint action against these elements. This was a direct message to Pakistan. It was a positive move by both nations.

During the show #JConModiKuwaitVisit trended top All-India on X