The community of Indians in Kuwait includes Indian (mostly hailing from the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu) expatriates in Kuwait, as well as Kuwaiti citizens of Indian origin or descent. According to the Indian ministry of external affairs, there are around 681,288 Indians as on 1 January 2013, constituting the largest expatriate community in Kuwait.
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Overview
Kuwaitis view India as a fast-growing economy and a source of highly qualified professional and technical personnel.
Professionals like engineers, doctors, lawyers, chartered accountants, scientists, software experts, management professionals and consultants, architects, skilled workers like technicians and nurses, semi-skilled workers, retail traders and businessmen mainly constitute the Indian community. A proportion of the Indian expatriates are also unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Of late, there has been an increase in the number of highly qualified Indian experts in hi-tech areas, especially in the software and financial sector in Kuwait. In the field of health, India not only supplies top specialists but also para-medical staff who enjoy a high reputation. Inward remittances from Kuwait to India are substantial.
There are 17 Indian schools in Kuwait affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). There were 164 Indian community Associations earlier registered with the Indian Embassy of Kuwait. Following introduction of a re-registration requirement, 106 of these Indian community Associations have once again registered with the Embassy and the number of registered Associations is growing at a steady pace.
Religion
Most of the Indians in Kuwait are practicing Hindus. along with a number of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Buddhists. Hindus account for the largest number of expatriates in Kuwait. Members of religious groups not mentioned in the Quran, such as Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists, are not allowed to build official places of worship. However, these groups have religious freedom and can freely engage in religious activities, including public marriage and other celebrations.
Education
Indian schools in Kuwait include: