Long live India-Bahrain friendship

Indian Ambassador to Bahrain H.E. Piyush Srivastava's message on India's 74th Republic Day

I convey warm greetings and felicitations to the members of Indian community and friends of India in Bahrain on the occasion of 74% Republic Day of India.

The year 2023 will be an important year for India, as it chairs both Group of Twenty (G20) Forum and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), taking global leadership roles and working for collective prosperity and growth.

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi said that India’s G20 Presidency will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented.

This has been reflected in the theme of India’s G20 Presidency - ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or ‘One Earth. One Family.

One Future’. On the bilateral front, India and Kingdom of Bahrain continued its momentum and upward trajectory.

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Kingdom of Bahrain and Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi held telephonic conversation at the beginning of the year.

This was followed by a number of visits of senior political and official, trade and commercial, security and defence delegations, including that of Dr. Shaikh Abdullah, Undersecretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs to India for 34 Foreign Office Consultations, and Dy. Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru to Bahrain.

H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Daina, Minister of Oil and Environment of Bahrain participated in the Voice of the Global South Summit’, virtually hosted by India earlier this month.

Our economic and commercial cooperation is growing in education, health and pharma sectors, and has expanded to the new and emerging areas of IT, big data, fintech, space technology, food security and renewable energy.

India continues to be among top trading partners of Bahrain, with bilateral trade reaching its highest ever level of above USD 1.65 billion in 2021- 22.

Our economic collaboration as well as investments from both sides have also increased, with about 10 physical and virtual B2B meetings covering diverse sectors held last year.

The year-long celebrations for the golden jubilee of establishment of diplomatic relations focussing on our deep bonds of friendship and rich and diverse cultural heritage saw enthusiastic participation of both Indian and Bahraini people.

We are also committed to increasing cooperation in technology, start-ups and sports sector, involving youth of our two countries.

Our collaboration in regional and multilateral arena have also strengthened.

In significant milestones last year, Bahrain joined International Solar Alliance as Member, and India joined Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), headquartered in Bahrain as Associate Partner.

With high level political , parliamentary, official and commercial engagements, we have an exciting year ahead.

We also look forward to greater participation from Bahrain (as Dialogue Partner of SCQ) in various events being hosted by India as SCO Chair this year.

Indian community in Bahrain proudly represent the rich and diverse Indian culture and heritage.

They have been integral part of journey of our bilateral relations.

This was reflected in their participation, in large numbers, in the 17 Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention, held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh from 8-10 January 2023.

The Government of India is committed to and is making continuous efforts to closely engage with Indian diaspora, to work for their welfare and make them an integral part of India’s growth story.

Thanks to Bahrain’s policies of harmony and peaceful coexistence, our community here has done well professionally and made significant contribution to the development of this beautiful Kingdom.

I join Indian community in thanking and expressing gratitude to the Leadership, Government and people of Bahrain for their warmth, care and affection.

I wish continued progress, well-being and prosperity to the friendly people of Kingdom of Bahrain.

Wishing everyone, once again, happy 74th Republic Day of India!

Long live India-Bahrain friendship!