India and Bahrain sign MOU on transfer of sentenced persons

India and Bahrain have vowed to strengthen their ties in key areas like trade and counter- terrorism besides signing an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons as Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held “wide-ranging” talks with her Bahraini counterpart here.

Ms. Swaraj, who is here for a two-day visit to attend the first ministerial meeting of the India-Arab League Cooperation Forum today, held “wide-ranging” discussions with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa yesterday.

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.

 Shaikh Khalid commended the close relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of India noting the depth of these historical relations and their noticeable ongoing expansion. 

The minister welcomed the regular exchange of high-level visits between the two countries which would impart further momentum to the relations between them at all levels.

Shaikh Khalid also lauded the efforts of the Indian community in Bahrain and their contribution in its development and growth.

He reiterated the resolve of the Kingdom of Bahrain to expand the bilateral relations towards capacious horizons and promote the joint cooperation in all areas.

Sushma Swaraj expressed her pleasure to be on a visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

She also voiced her appreciation and gratitude to the respect and attention that extended to the Indian community.

She commended the achievements of the Kingdom of Bahrain in all fields that made it a democratic and development model to be emulated on regional and international levels.

She further reiterated the keenness of the Republic of India to promote cooperation with the Kingdom of Bahrain. 

The meeting extended to discuss the agenda items of the First Ministerial Meeting of the Arab- India Cooperation Forum.