Bahrain welcomes Narendra Modi’s historic visit
Lawmakers, business and community leaders hail first visit by Indian Prime Minister
Manama: The Bahrain cabinet has welcomed the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the kingdom, saying it will provide a strong impetus to the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries.
Modi’s visit — the first by an Indian Prime Minister — is an extension of the historic relations between Bahrain and India and is seen by cabinet in the kingdom as “a great opportunity to bolstering bilateral cooperation at various levels,” Fawzia Zainal, the president of Bahrain Council of Representatives, said.
“Bahrain is proud of its long-standing relations with India, which has contributed to strengthening the infrastructure of both countries and building bridges of cooperation in various fields. We look forward to this historic visit to further cooperation ... We welcome all leaders who carry appreciation and respect towards Bahrain and its people, and there is no doubt that this visit will positive reflections for Bahrain and the region,” she said.
We look forward to this historic visit to further cooperation ... there is no doubt that this visit will positive reflections for Bahrain and the region.
Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa visited India in February 2014 — during which the two countries signed a number of agreements worth $450 million of bilateral trade and investment. Relations between India and Bahrain go back by several decades and in December 2007, the Bahrain-India Society was launched in Manama to promote ties between the two countries.
Business and community leaders operating in Bahrain also welcomed the upcoming visit of Modi, who is scheduled to visit the kingdom on August 24 and 25. “As such, this is a milestone in Bahraini-Indian relations. It shows the deepening ties between both nations and underscores the significance of Bahrain in India’s West Asia policy,” Yousuf Ali M.A, Chairman and Managing Director of LuLu Group, said.
This is a milestone in Bahraini-Indian relations. The deepening ties between both nations underscores the significance of Bahrain in India’s West Asia policy.
“For the nearly 400,000-strong Indian diaspora in the kingdom, which has contributed so richly to the growth of modern Bahrain, this is a crowning moment and a celebration of ties between India and the most harmonious, peaceful, prosperous and tolerant countries in the world,” he said.
Apart from strategic and political goals, Modi’s visit will further strengthen socio-cultural ties as well as the warm personal camaraderie between the leaders of India and Bahrain, Yousuf Ali said. “As India marches towards its ambitious goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy, the Kingdom of Bahrain too will undoubtedly will play a key role in this thanks to already existing trade ties, proximity, large Indian diaspora and above all the personal and warm friendship between the great leadership of both nations.”
We have celebrated the 200th anniversary of the temple this year — which reflects the tolerant nature of Bahrain society and coexistence between communities.
According to Sushil Muljimal, chairman of the Hindu temple in Bahrain, Modi’s state visit will also underscore the strong bilateral relations and shared values of Bahraini and Indian societies. “We have just celebrated the 200th anniversary of the temple this year — which reflects the tolerant nature of Bahrain society and the coexistence between various communities and religion living together in harmony in the kingdom,” he said.
“Our celebration marking 200th anniversary of the Hindu Temple in Bahrain was under the patronage of King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa, and we have been receiving support from the leadership in Bahrain under the umbrella of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence and This Is Bahrain Society,” Muljimal added.
“It is such great pleasure to have the Indian Prime Minister visiting Bahrain — it’s a great opportunity to meet him in person and a great moment for Bahrain regarding the strong bilateral relations the two countries enjoy … We are positive about the outcomes of the visit that it will give a boost to all bilateral relations. As a part of the Indian community we have witnessed massive improvement in the bilateral relations, and we are about to witness more improvements,” he said.