AMN /
India and Bahrain have vowed to strengthen ties in key areas like trade and counter-terrorism besides signing an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held wide-ranging discussions with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa in capital Manama yesterday.
According to officials, after the talks, the two leaders signed the agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons. According to the pact, once an expatriate has been sentenced in the other country, the sentence can be served in the country of origin. She arrived in Bahrain on a two-day visit to attend the first ministerial meeting of the India-Arab League Cooperation Forum to be held today.
Immediately after landing in Manama, the External Affairs Minister headed to the Bahrain International Air Show. On the sidelines of the air show, Mrs Swaraj also called on Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Both of them watched India’s indigenously developed Dhruv helicopters and Tejas Light Combat Aircraft perform aerobatics in the skies.
In the evening, Mrs Swaraj held comprehensive talks with Khalid as they vowed to boost ties between the two nations. Secretary East Anil Wadhwa told reporters that India and Bahrain discussed, security cooperation in the region and how both sides can contribute to each other’s security. He said India and Bahrain have cooperated really well in this field and this cooperation will continue. Mr. Wadhwa said India has invited the Bahraini side to participate in its Make in India programme.
Later, Mrs Swaraj and Mr Khalid visited the Little India area. In a rare gesture, the Khalid accompanied her to Shrinath temple amid loud cheers and Punjabi drum beats.
The Gulf region accounts for over 60 per cent of India’s oil and gas requirement. India and the Arab League are expected to deliberate on the whole gamut of bilateral issues including trade and investment, energy and culture among others.