Indian Minister hails steady growth in ties, holds talks with Bahrain ministers
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Reported by Julia Cassano
V. Muraleedharan, the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, yesterday held a series of meetings with ministers and top officials on boosting bilateral ties and cooperation in various sectors.
The minister arrived in Bahrain for a two-day official visit from Saudi Arabia, where he landed on the 1st of this month. This is also his second visit to Bahrain. He last visited Bahrain in August 2021.
The latest visit also follows the minister’s visit to Jeddah from April 25 to 28 to oversee Operation Kaveri for the evacuation of Indian citizens from Sudan. Among those he met were Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Labour Minister Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, and Social Development Minister Osama Bin Ahmed Khalaf Al Asfoor.
Talks were held in the presence of top officials, including Piyush Srivastava, the Indian Ambassador to Bahrain. Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Piyush Srivastava, the Ambassador of India to Bahrain, said that the Minister’s visit to the Kingdom reflects the depth of bilateral relations between both countries.
“This is the Minister’s second visit in less than two years, and this directly highlights the close bilateral interaction at the higher political level, and we are very confident that this visit will further progress our relations in all spheres, especially in trade and investment,” the Ambassador said.
During his talks with Humaidan, Muraleedharan discussed ways of boosting cooperation, particularly in the labour sector and exchanging expertise in workforce training. The ministers also talked about efforts to align national labour laws with those of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Humaidan highlighted the labour policies prioritising labour rights, healthy working conditions, and high productivity. Muraleedharan praised the progress made by the Bahraini labour sector and expressed his interest in boosting cooperation in all sectors.
Additionally, he discussed avenues for future cooperation, including skilling. He expressed appreciation for ensuring the well-being of the Indian community, affirming interest in boosting cooperation in all sectors, especially trade and investment.
Separately, the minister met with Osama Bin Ahmed Khalaf Al Asfoor, Minister of Social Development of Bahrain, and discussed ways to boost support for the Indian community. Discussions with Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Minister of Finance and National Economy, were held in the presence of Khalid Humaidan, the CEO of the Economic Development Board.
Earlier, following his arrival, the minister tweeted: “Arriving in the beautiful Kingdom of Bahrain again." I look forward to interactions with the Bahraini leadership, dignitaries, and the Indian community.”
Indo-Bahrain Dance Festival While in Bahrain, Muraleedharan will also inaugurate the Indo-Bahrain Dance and Music Festival organised by Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam and the Embassy of India with the support of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM).
He will hold discussions with various Bahraini dignitaries and meet Indian community organizations as well as Indians working in different sectors. India and Bahrain enjoy strong ties.
During a reception at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, the minister said: “The Kingdom has welcomed the Indian community with open arms, creating a connected and integrated society that establishes deeper bonds and also furthers both countries’ progression.”
He highlighted the expanding economic and commercial partnership between the two nations in various domains, including IT, big data, fintech, space technology, food security, and renewable energy.
Additionally, the growing collaboration between the two countries encompasses the development and assistance of education, agriculture, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. “As our economic relations grow, we will only see steady growth and new records."
" Last year, our bilateral trade reached a record figure of $1.65 million (BD622,135), and I am happy to share that this year, we have already surpassed this figure,” Muraleedharan said.
Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa remarked that the ongoing development and growth of relationships between nations are having a significant impact on both governmental institutions and the private sector.
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