Kuwait’s Emir names Sheikh Sabah as new crown prince

Sheikh Meshal recently dissolved parliament for as many as four years amid the widespread political dysfunction that’s gripped Kuwait. Kuwait Emir named the small nation’s new crown prince, nearly six months after he took the throne. Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah will become next in line to the throne.

Political carrier of New Crown of Kuwait

The first cabinet position that Sabah held was that of minister of labor and social affairs in July 2006. During this time, he also held the position of acting foreign minister. Prior to being appointed minister of information in October 2007, he served as minister of labor and social affairs. He was thereafter designated as an Amiri Diwan advisor. He was appointed to the Supreme Petroleum Council in February of 2010. Sabah was appointed minister of foreign affairs and deputy prime minister on October 22, 2011.

• Sabah took over as foreign minister in place of Mohammad Al Sabah. In addition, Sabah was named minister of state for cabinet affairs on December 14, 2011, during a reorganization. Eventually, Mohammad Abdullah Al Mubarak Al Sabah took over this position. In addition to his role as foreign minister, Sabah was appointed first deputy prime minister on August 4, 2013.
• Following the resignation of his predecessor, Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Sabah was appointed as Kuwait’s eighth prime minister by emiri decree on November 19, 2019.On April 5, 2022, he tendered his resignation from the government, and on May 10, 2022, the emir accepted it, agreeing to continue in his role as caretaker.
• On 1 June 2024, Sabah was appointed Crown Prince of Kuwait, marking the first time a member from the Hamad branch of the Al Sabah ruling family has held this position in the country’s history.

About Kuwait

Unlike other Gulf states, Kuwait has an influential parliament while most power remains with the royal family. While lawmakers have powers their regular battles with the government causes repeat crises.

• Kuwait has about seven percent of global oil reserves and one of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds. But it has struggled in recent years to diversify its economy away from reliance on oil.
• Kuwait has seen constant disputes between its elected lawmakers and cabinets that are named by the ruling Al-Sabah family. The Al-Sabah maintain a strong grip on political power, despite a parliamentary system that has been in place since 1962.

Importance of Kuwait for India

Kuwait remains a reliable supplier of crude oil & LPG to India, meeting our crucial energy needs. During FY 2023-24, Kuwait was the 6th largest crude supplier to India and it met about 3% of India’s total energy needs.