Noreen Al Thawadi
Manama, Jan. 26 (BNA): India remains among Bahrain’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching its highest level above $1.65 billion in 2021-22, the Ambassador of India to Bahrain said.
“Our economic and trade cooperation is growing in the education, health and pharmaceutical sectors, and has expanded to include new and emerging areas of information technology, big data, financial technology, space technology, food security and renewable energy,” said Ambassador Piyush Srivastava.
“Our economic cooperation as well as our investments from both sides have increased, with around 10 physical and virtual meetings between companies covering diverse sectors taking place last year,” he said in a statement on the occasion of India’s Republic Day.
He noted that India is also committed to increasing collaboration in technology, start-ups and the sports sector, including the youth from our two countries.
“Our cooperation has strengthened on the regional and multilateral arena as well. In milestones last year, Bahrain joined the International Solar Alliance as a member, India joined the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), Bahrain-based as an associate partner, official and commercial engagement, we have an exciting year in We also look forward to greater participation from Bahrain (as a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization) in the various events hosted by India as chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization this year.”
Looking at Bahrain-India relations in 2022, Srivastava said they have continued their momentum and upward trajectory.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation at the beginning of the year, which was followed by a number of visits to senior political officials, officials, trade, security and defense delegations.”
The visits of the Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, to the consultations of the Third Foreign Ministry, and the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sanjay Mahendru, to Bahrain.
Minister of Oil and Environment, Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Dinah, said he participated in the Global South Voice Summit, which India hosted earlier this month.
“The year-long celebrations of the golden jubilee for the establishment of diplomatic relations with an emphasis on deep bonds of friendship and a rich and diverse cultural heritage saw enthusiastic participation from both the Indian and Bahraini people.”
Ambassador Srivastava paid tribute to the Indian community living and working in Bahrain.
He said, “The Indian community in Bahrain proudly represents the rich and diverse Indian culture and heritage. They have been an integral part of the journey of our bilateral relations.”
“Thanks to Bahrain’s policies of harmony and peaceful coexistence, our community here has done a good job on a professional level and made a great contribution to the development of this beautiful kingdom. I join the Indian community in thanking and expressing gratitude to the leadership, government and people of Bahrain for their warmth, care and affection.”
The Government of India is committed and making continuous efforts to engage closely with the Indian diaspora, to work for their well-being and to make them an integral part of India’s growth story.
Ambassador Srivastava looked with great enthusiasm and optimism at India’s role in 2023.
“2023 will be an important year for India, as it chairs both the G20 forum and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), assumes global leadership roles and works for collective prosperity and growth,” he said.
India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, said India’s G20 presidency will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented. This was reflected in the theme of India’s G20 Presidency – Vasudeva Kutumbakam, or ‘One Earth’. one family. one future. . “