Since its independence in 1961, Kuwait has maintained strong international relations with most countries, especially nations within the Arab world. Its vast oil reserves give it a prominent voice at the global economic forums and organizations like the OPEC. Kuwait is also a major ally of ASEAN, a regional ally of China, and a major non-NATO ally of the United States.
International disputes
In November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1992), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah Island islands; ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands are disputed by Saudi Arabia. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue to negatotiate a joint maritime boundary with Iran; no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the Persian Gulf.
On March 17, Kuwait authorities arrested 16 member, 14 Kuwaiti nationals and two Lebanese nationals, who were linked to the banned terrorist organization Hezbollah. According to authorities investigation the members had firearms, ammunition, a weapon described as being used for assassinations, encrypted communication devices, drones, and maps.
Diplomatic relations
List of countries which Kuwait maintains diplomatic relations with:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="3" |frameless|425x425px
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!#
!Country
!Date
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|1
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|2
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|3
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|4
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|5
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|6
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|7
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|9
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|10
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|11
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|12
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|13
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|14
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|15
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|16
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|17
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|18
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|19
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|20
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|21
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|22
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|23
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|24
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|25
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|26
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|27
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|28
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|29
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|30
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|31
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|32
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|33
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|34
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|35
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|36
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|37
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|38
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|39
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|40
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|41
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|42
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|43
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|44
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|45
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|46
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|47
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|48
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|49
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|50
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|51
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|52
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|53
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|54
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|—
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|55
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|56
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|57
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|58
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|59
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|60
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|61
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|62
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|63
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|64
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|65
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|66
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|67
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|68
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|69
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|70
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|71
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|72
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|73
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|74
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|75
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|76
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|77
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|78
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|79
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|80
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|81
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|82
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|83
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|84
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|85
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|86
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|87
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|88
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|89
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|90
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|91
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|92
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|93
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|94
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|95
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|96
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|97
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|98
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|100
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|102
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|103
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|104
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|105
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|106
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|107
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|108
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|109
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|111
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|112
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|113
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|—
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|114
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|115
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|116
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|118
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|120
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|121
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|122
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|123
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|124
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|125
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|126
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|127
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|129
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|130
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|132
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|133
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|134
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|135
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|136
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|137
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|138
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|139
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|140
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|141
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|142
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|143
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|144
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|145
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|146
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|148
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|149
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|151
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|152
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|153
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|154
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|155
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|156
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|158
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|161
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|162
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|163
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|167
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|168
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|170
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|171
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|173
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|176
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|177
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|179
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|180
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|183
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|185
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|188
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|190
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|}
Bilateral relations
Africa
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
|-
! style="width:15%;"| Country
! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began
!Notes
|- valign="top"
|||23 April 1968||See Kenya–Kuwait relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 April 1968 when has been accredited first Ambassador of Kuwait to Kenya with residence in Nairobi Mr. Mohammad A. Al-Mishari.
In 1965, official relations between Kuwait and Canada were launched when the US ambassador to Kuwait began to act as a non-resident ambassador to Canada. In 1978, Canada opened its embassy in Kuwait City.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Mexico City.
- Mexico has an embassy in Kuwait City.
|- valign="top"
|
|1 December 1975
|
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 December 1975
See Kuwait–United States relations
thumb|[[United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Martin Dempsey, with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Sabah in 2011.]]
The United States opened a consulate in Kuwait in October 1951, which was elevated to embassy status at the time of Kuwait's independence 10 years later.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Washington, D.C. and an consulates-general in Los Angeles and New York City.
- the United States has an embassy in Kuwait City.
|}
Asia
Kuwait, is a member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), which includes, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. These countries, have solid, and unbreakable bilateral relations. Citizens of these countries, may enter other GCC, country with their national ID. GCC citizens are allowed to reside at any other GCC, nation an unlimited period of time. They also follow the same economic plan, and give each other military, and Intelligence support. They also have similar, educational, social, plans. The GCC countries, discuss their foreign policies, as they try to maintain similar foreign policies. These six monarchies are also known as the oil-rich countries of the Middle East.
Kuwait failed to ratify the 2012 GCC Internal Security Pact, which sough to coordinate domestic repression of the political opposition across GCC members.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
|-
! style="width:15%;"| Country
! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began
!Notes
|- valign="top"
|||8 July 1994||
- Armenia has an embassy in Kuwait City.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Yerevan.
|- valign="top"
|||10 October 1994||
- Azerbaijan has an embassy in Kuwait City.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Baku.
|- valign="top"
|||2 September 1971||See Bahrain–Kuwait relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 September 1971
- Bahrain has an embassy in Kuwait City.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Manama.
|- valign="top"
|||22 March 1971||
See China–Kuwait relations
China and Kuwait established diplomatic relations on 22 March 1971. In 2007, Kuwait exported $2.3 billion worth of goods to China ($2.1 billion of which was oil) and Kuwait imported $1.3 billion of goods from China.
In 2007, Kuwait supplied China with of oil per day, accounting for 2.6% of China's total crude oil imports. Saudi Arabia was China's top supplier with its shipments jumping 69.8 percent to 3.84 million tons (939,000 bbl/d), followed by Angola with 2.06 million tons (503,000 bbl/d), down 27.1 percent. Iran became third, with imports from the country shrinking 35.3 percent to 1.18 million tons (289,000 bbl/d). China is the world's second-biggest oil consumer after the US. Abdullatif Al-Houti, managing director of International Marketing at state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), told KUNA in October that Kuwait is on course for its China-bound crude oil export target of by 2015, but success will heavily depend on the Sino-Kuwaiti refinery project. The two countries have been in talks for the planned refinery in China's southern Guangdong Province. The complex is expected to be on-stream by 2020.
In July 2018, the State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence signed an agreement with the Government of Kuwait to increase cooperation in the defense industry. China also agreed to increase investment in the Kuwaiti energy sector.
In June 2020, Kuwait was one of 53 countries backed the Hong Kong national security law at the United Nations.
|- valign="top"
|||3 September 1992||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 September 1992.
- Georgia has an embassy in Kuwait City.
- Kuwait is accredited to Georgia from its embassy in Yerevan, Armenia.
|- valign="top"
|||26 March 1962||See India–Kuwait relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 March 1962 when India and Kuwait have decided to raise their diplomatic missions to Embassy level.
On 13 July 2008, Kuwait's Speaker of the Parliament Jassem Al-Kharafi publicly accused the West of provoking Iran on the nuclear issue. In his interview with state-owned Kuwait TV, Al-Kharafi said, "What is happening is that there are provocative Western statements, and Iran responds in the same way... I believe that a matter this sensitive needs dialogue not escalation, and it shouldn't be dealt with as if Iran were one of America's states."
- Iran has an embassy in Kuwait City.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Tehran.
|- valign="top"
|||10 January 1964||See Iraq–Kuwait relations, Kurdistan Region–Kuwait relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 January 1964.
On March 2, 2021, Iraqi official said that Iraq has so far paid $49.5 billion in war reparations to Kuwait.
Mazhar Salih, an adviser to the Prime Minister, told Al-Sabaah newspaper that Iraq's dues now amount to only $2.5 billion.
|- valign="top"
|||<!--Date started-->||See Israel–Kuwait relations
Kuwait has no diplomatic ties with Israel, and boycotts Israeli products. In January 2014, Kuwait boycotted a renewable energy conference attended by Israel in Abu Dhabi, because Kuwait opposes normalization of ties with Israel.
In December 2008, Kuwaiti lawmakers protested in front of the Kuwait National Assembly Building against Israel during the Gaza War. The Kuwaiti lawmakers burned Israeli flags, waved banners reading, "No to hunger, no to submission" and chanted "Allahu Akbar". Israel launched air strikes against Hamas in the Gaza Strip on December 26 after Hamas launched rockets into the Israeli town of Sderot following the expiration of a six-month ceasefire on December 18. On January 3, 2009, MPs protested in front of the National Assembly again. After Friday prayers on January 8, 2009, Jamaan Al-Harbash and several other MPs urged Arab leaders to take a stronger stand against the Israeli attacks and open Rafah Crossing to end an embargo imposed by Israel on the residents of Gaza.
In November 2012, Kuwait and the World Bank concluded an agreement according to which Kuwait contributed a US$50 million grant to the World Bank's Palestinian Reform and Development Program (PRDP).
|- valign="top"
|||8 December 1961||
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 December 1961.
The two nations have agreed to work together on the security of the oil trade route that connects them.
- Japan has an embassy in Kuwait City.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Tokyo.
|- valign="top"
|||27 September 1961||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 1961
- Kuwait has an embassy in Beirut.
- Lebanon has an embassy in Kuwait City.
|- valign="top"
|||28 March 1965||See Kuwait–Malaysia relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 March 1965
- Kuwait has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
- Malaysia has an embassy in Kuwait City. Relations are mainly in economic cooperation.
|-
|
|
|Northern Cyprus has a Representative Office in Kuwait City.
|- valign="top"
|||21 July 1963||See Kuwait–Pakistan relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 July 1963 when Kuwait opens embassy in Islamabad.
The relationship between Kuwait and Pakistan are exemplary, brotherly, historical and deep based on shared history, traditions and common culture. Kuwait and Pakistan have always enjoyed deep economic and cultural ties.
After the end of the first Gulf War in 1991 Pakistani army engineers were involved in a programme of mine clearance in the country. Kuwait was also the first country to send aid to isolated mountain villages in Kashmir after the quake of 2005, also offering the largest amount of aid in the aftermath of the quake ($100m).
|- valign="top"
|||15 December 1971||See Kuwait–Qatar relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 December 1971.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Riyadh and a consulate-general in Jeddah.
- Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Kuwait City.
|- valign="top"
|||11 June 1979||
The Republic of Korea and Kuwait have had diplomatic relations since 11 June 1979. On 2 March 2015, foreign minister Yun Byung-se and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah signed a bilateral Agreement on the mutual waiver of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official, and special passports in the presence of the heads of state of the Republic of Korea and Kuwait.
|- valign="top"
|||24 October 1963||See Kuwait–Syria relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 October 1963
Kuwait–Syria relations became somewhat strained due to the Syrian Civil War after Kuwait closed its embassies along with the rest of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf. Bilaterial relations have since come to focus on humanitarian efforts for Syria instead. For example, Kuwait has hosted three international pledging conferences in 2013, 2014 and 2015, raising 1.5bn, 2.4bn and 3.8bn respectively. Relations between the two countries have since normalized.
In 2016, Kuwait co-hosted the Supporting Syria and the Region Conference in London along with the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Germany and Norway. The conference resulted in a record $10 billion pledge. Bilateral trade between the two countries is worth around $275 million. The two countries have recently signed fifteen agreements for cooperation in tourism, health, environment, economy, commercial exchange and oil.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul.
- Turkey has an embassy in Kuwait City.
|- valign="top"
|||8 March 1972||See Kuwait–United Arab Emirates relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 March 1972
Kuwait was the first country in the GCC that Vietnam chose to establish its trade representative office in 1993, and embassy in 2003. The former Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in 2009 visited each other's countries.
|- valign="top"
|||<!--Date started-->||
As a member of the UN Security Council in 1990 and 1991, Yemen abstained on a number of resolutions concerning the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and voted against the "use of force resolution." Kuwait responded by cancelling aid programs, cutting diplomatic contact, and expelling thousands of Yemeni workers.
|}
Europe
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
|-
! style="width:15%;"| Country
! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began
!Notes
|- valign="top"
|||8 August 1968||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 August 1968
See Cyprus-Kuwait relations
Cyprus and Kuwait can be described as excellent with various exchange visits between the two countries.
- Cyprus has an embassy in Kuwait City.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Nicosia.
|- valign="top"
|||||
- the Czech Republic has an embassy in Kuwait City.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Prague.
|- valign="top"
|||25 April 1964||
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 April 1964.
On 6 November 2006, the Kuwaiti parliament voted 22–15 to approve severing diplomatic ties with Denmark over the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy and spending about US$50 (€39.20) million to defend Muhammad's image in the West. Both votes were nonbinding, meaning the Cabinet does not have to abide by them. Kuwaiti lawmaker Abdulsamad voted in favor of cutting diplomatic ties, saying, "We have to cut diplomatic and commercial ties with Denmark...We don't have to eat Danish cheese." Al-Rashid voted against cutting diplomatic ties, arguing that Muslims have to be positive and remember that it were some individuals, not governments, who insulted Muhammad. Al-Rashid was quoted as saying, "We here in Kuwait curse Christians in many of our mosques, should those (Christian) countries boycott Kuwait?"
|See Germany–Kuwait relations
- Kuwait has an embassy in Berlin.
- Germany has an embassy in Kuwait City.
|- valign="top"
|||3 January 1965||
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 January 1965
Greece was one of the 34 member countries in the coalition which assisted in the liberation of Kuwait from Iraq in 1991 during the Gulf War. Greece also participated in the UNICOM mission to patrol the demilitarized zone along the Kuwait-Iraq border.
- Greece has an embassy in Kuwait City.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Athens.
|- valign="top"
|||21 October 1968||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 October 1968
- Holy See has an apostolic nunciature in Kuwait City.
|- valign="top"
|||||
- Hungary has an embassy in Kuwait City.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Budapest.
|-
|
|
|
- Italy has an embassy in Kuwait City.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Rome.
|- valign="top"
|||16 January 2013||
- Kuwait recognised the Republic of Kosovo on 11 October 2011.
- Kosovo and Kuwait established diplomatic relations on 16 January 2013.
|-
|
|
|
- Kuwait has an embassy in The Hague.
- the Netherlands has an embassy in Kuwait City.
|- valign="top"
|||13 May 1963||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 May 1963
- Kuwait has an embassy in Warsaw.
- Poland has an embassy in Kuwait City.
|-
|
|
|
- Kuwait has an embassy in Bucharest.
- Romania has an embassy in Kuwait City.
|- valign="top"
|||17 April 1964||See Kuwait–Spain relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 April 1964
- Kuwait has an embassy in Madrid.
- Spain has an embassy in Kuwait City.
|-
|
|22 December 1964
|Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 December 1964 when Sweden opens its embassy in Kuwait.
- Kuwait maintains an embassy in London.
- The United Kingdom is accredited to Kuwait through its embassy in Kuwait City.
The UK governed Kuwait from 1899 to 1961, when it achieved full independence.
Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have signed an Investment Agreement. The UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Kuwait is a member, are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement.
|}
Oceania
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
|-
! style="width:15%;"| Country
! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began
!Notes
|- valign="top"
|||||
- Australia has an embassy in Kuwait City.
- Kuwait has an embassy in Canberra.
|- valign="top"
|||||
- Kuwait has an embassy in Wellington.
- New Zealand is accredited to Kuwait from its embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
|}
See also
- List of diplomatic missions in Kuwait
- List of diplomatic missions of Kuwait
- Iran-Arab Relations (Kuwait)
- Visa requirements for Kuwaiti citizens