Visit of External Affairs Minister to the Kingdom of Bahrain (September 06, 2014)

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Visit of External Affairs Minister to the Kingdom of Bahrain (September 06, 2014)

September 03, 2014

Smt Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs and Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs is paying an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain on 6 September 2014. This is her first official visit to Bahrain and to the Gulf region, during which she will interact with the top Bahraini leadership.
Smt Swaraj will also attend the inaugural Indian Diaspora Engagement meet being organised by Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC). The OIFC is a public- private initiative of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and Confederation of Indian Industry for promotion of overseas investments into India; facilitation of business partnerships; and for assisting States in India to project investment opportunities to overseas Indians.
India and Bahrain enjoy cordial and friendly relations, marked by close people to people contacts and regular high-level political exchanges. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa paid his first State visit to India in February 2014.
Bahrain is an important partner for India in the Gulf with bilateral trade in 2013-14 exceeding US$ 1.3 billion. Over 350,000 Indian nationals work and contribute to the development of Bahrain. Their positive and well-appreciated contribution in the development of Bahrain has been an important anchor of our excellent bilateral engagement.
India has vital stakes in the security and stability of the Gulf region, which hosts about seven million Indians. This region is also the source of nearly two-third of India’s crude oil requirements and is our largest trading partner.

New Delhi
September 3, 2014

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