Indian PM Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked the Kuwait government for launching a radio programme in Hindi and described the move as a 'wonderful initiative'.

Addressing the nation in his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, Modi said: " Kuwait government has started a special program on its National Radio. And that too in Hindi."

"It is broadcast every Sunday for half an hour on Kuwait Radio. It includes myriad shades of Indian culture," Modi said.

He said: "Our films and discussions related to the art world are very popular among the Indian community there. I have even been told that the local people of Kuwait are also taking a lot of interest in it."

"I thank the government of Kuwait and the people there from the core of my heart for taking this wonderful initiative," he said.

He said Indians should be happy the way the country's culture is earning glory across the world.

He praised the Turkmenistan government for unveiling the statue of Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore.

"Friends, which Indian will not be happy with the way our culture is earning glory all over the world today! For example, in Turkmenistan, the 300th birth anniversary of its national poet was celebrated in May this year. On this occasion, the President of Turkmenistan unveiled the statues of 24 famous poets of the world. One of these statues is also that of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore," he said.