اخبار البحرين – وطن نيوز
W6nnews.com ==== وطن === تاريخ النشر – 2026-01-26 00:17:00
Walid Sabri – Thanks to His Majesty the King, to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Prime Minister and to all Bahraini society for their support to the Indian community in the Kingdom – Cooperation initiatives including economy, trade, investment, customs, health, technology and space – Warm congratulations from India to Bahrain on declaring 2026 the “Year of Jesus the Great” – We congratulate Bahrain on its election to the Security Council and coordinate positions with it in multilateral forums – We are exploring new initiatives between the two friendly countries to enhance defense and security cooperation – $2 billion investments Mutual exchange between Bahrain and India – India welcomes Bahrain’s proposal to host an international peace conference in the Middle East – Bahrain and India are partners working to promote a more peaceful and inclusive global community in West Asia – $1.64 billion in bilateral trade between India and Bahrain last year – India is among Bahrain’s top five trading partners – Potential for further growth and diversification of trade in electronics, oil, food, metals and jewellery – 40% increase in Indian investments in Bahrain since the Prime Minister of India’s visit to Bahrain in 2019 – Mutual investments exceeded $2 billion, including about $1.9 billion in Indian investments – Tolerance, coexistence and a welcoming society make Bahrain a favorite destination for working members of the Indian community and their families – Participation of the Indian “Air Sarang” in the Bahrain International Air Show consolidates relations – About a million Indians have visited Bahrain in recent years – 5,000 Bahrainis visited India last year – An agreement to deepen cultural communication through exchanges in art, music, literature and cultural festivals – Bahraini-Indian preparations in 2026 to celebrate the fifth anniversary The 50th to establish diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries – “Visit the embassy” is a cultural and educational exchange platform that attracted 600 students from more than 30 schools – Relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Al-Anad deepen in areas including trade, investment, energy and health – Trade between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and India reached $178 billion in the fiscal year 2024-2025. The Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Vinod Kurian Jacob, said, “The relations between New Delhi and Manama are witnessing “Momentum is growing at various levels,” stressing that “the two sides are exploring new initiatives to enhance defense and security cooperation, in addition to launching cooperation initiatives that include economy, trade, investment, customs, health, technology and space, which reflects the depth of the strategic partnership between the two countries,” before revealing that “mutual Indian investments with Bahrain amounted to two billion dollars.” Ambassador Vinod Kurian Jacob added, in an interview with Al-Watan, that “India congratulates the Kingdom of Bahrain on its election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council,” noting that “The two sides are coordinating their positions in multilateral forums, and New Delhi also welcomes Bahrain’s proposal to host an international peace conference in the Middle East, based on the fact that they are partners working together to promote a more peaceful and inclusive global community in West Asia.” The Indian ambassador continued, “India’s joining of the joint naval forces based in Bahrain was welcomed by Bahrainis, and the participation of the Indian “Sarang” team in the Bahrain International Air Show has consolidated bilateral relations, while the visit of three Indian naval ships to Bahrain has deepened Last September, we communicated with Manama and confirmed our joint commitment to the security of the region.” Ambassador Vinod Kurian Jacob indicated that “the volume of bilateral trade reached $1.64 billion last year,” pointing out that “India is among the five largest trading partners of Bahrain, with the potential for further growth and diversification of trade in the fields of electronics, oil, food, metals, and jewelry. Indian investments in Bahrain have also increased by 40% since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in 2019, while investments have exceeded Two billion dollars were exchanged, including about $1.9 billion in Indian investments.” The Indian ambassador stressed that “about 315,000 Indians are the strength of the Indian community in Bahrain and are actively contributing to the economic growth of the Kingdom, and that the values of tolerance, coexistence and a welcoming society have made Bahrain a preferred destination for Indian professionals, workers and their families,” expressing “thanks to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the country, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince The Prime Minister, and all Bahraini society, for their protection and support for Indians in the Kingdom,” noting that “about a million Indians have visited Bahrain in recent years, while about 5,000 Bahraini citizens visited India last year.” Ambassador Vinod Kurian Jacob explained that “Bahrain and India agreed to deepen cultural communication through exchanges in the fields of art, music, literature, and cultural festivals, while preparing to celebrate the fifty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2026,” pointing out that “The “Embassy Visit” initiative formed a cultural and educational exchange platform that attracted 600 students from more than 30 schools. India’s warm congratulations were also extended on His Majesty the King’s declaration of 2026 as the “Year of Jesus the Great.” The Ambassador of the Republic of India to Bahrain concluded by noting that “Indian-Gulf relations have deepened in areas including trade, investment, energy and health, and that about 10 million of the Indian community reside in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, while Indian-Gulf trade has reached $178 billion in the fiscal year 2024-2025.” To the text of the dialogue: How do you evaluate the relations between Bahrain and India in light of regional and international developments? How do you see the Kingdom of Bahrain winning a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council? And Bahrain’s efforts to support a comprehensive and just peace in the region? – The bilateral relationship between India and Bahrain has witnessed great progress in all areas of cooperation. There are regular high-level exchanges between the two countries. We are exploring new initiatives with the aim of strengthening existing cooperation in areas including defence, security, economy, trade, investment, customs, health, fintech, space, culture and people-to-people ties. Our historical and civilizational ties are strong and enduring, including in the multilateral arena. The Indian side congratulates the Kingdom of Bahrain on its election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the period from 2026 to 2027. The two sides are coordinating their positions in multilateral platforms, including in elections to multilateral bodies for mutual benefit. How do you see the freedom of belief, peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance that Bahrain enjoys through the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence? Tolerance? – The Indian side commends the Kingdom of Bahrain’s policies in the field of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, as well as the welcoming society that has made Bahrain a preferred destination for Indian professionals, workers and their families. In June last year, a delegation of Indian parliamentarians visited the King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance and held fruitful discussions. How do you evaluate Bahrain’s efforts in maintaining maritime security and protecting ships and oil supplies in the Gulf and the region? – As you know, the Kingdom of Bahrain welcomed India’s joining of the Joint Combined Maritime Forces based in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2023. Bahrain appreciated the participation of the Indian Air Force’s Sarang aerobatic team consisting of 5 Dhruv helicopters in the 7th session. For the Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) in November 2024. The visit of three Indian naval ships to Bahrain in September 2025 also contributed to deepening communication between the two sides, and affirmed India’s commitment to the maritime security of the region. Bahrain’s initiative to hold an international peace conference aims to maintain the security and stability of the region. Can this initiative be discussed? – During the fourth meeting of the India-Bahrain Joint Higher Committee, which was chaired by His Excellency Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, and His Excellency Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Manama, Bahrain on December 9, 2024. The Indian side welcomed the proposal of the Bahraini side to host an international conference for peace in the Middle East. The two countries see each other as key partners in the region, working together to promote a more peaceful and inclusive global community in West Asia. What is the volume of trade between Bahrain and India? What is the value of exports and imports? What are the major exports and imports between the two countries? Bilateral trade between India and Bahrain has stabilized, reaching US$ 1.64 billion in the financial year 2024-25. India is among the five largest trading partners of the Kingdom of Bahrain. There is potential for further growth and diversification of trade in areas such as electronics, petroleum products, processed foods, base metals, gemstones and jewellery. How many Indian investment companies are there in Bahrain? And vice versa? What is the value of Indian investments in Bahrain? What is the value of Bahraini investments in India? What is India’s plan to attract more investors and companies to Bahrain? – Indian investments in Bahrain have increased by nearly 40% since the visit of His Excellency Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bahrain in 2019. Mutual investments exceeded 2 billion US dollars, of which about 1.9 billion dollars are Indian investments. What about tourism relations between the two countries? How many Bahrainis visited India last year? – There are about a million Indians who visited Bahrain in recent years. Last year, about 5,000 Bahraini citizens visited India. India and Bahrain enjoy strong people-to-people ties. The two sides positively evaluated the Indian side’s introduction of the e-visa system for Bahraini citizens on July 14, 2025, and this is expected to boost tourism from Bahrain to India. What about the various areas of cooperation between the two countries? What is the extent of educational and academic cooperation between them? Are there initiatives to enhance cultural understanding between the two sides? India and Bahrain are exploring new initiatives with the aim of strengthening existing cooperation in areas including defence, security, economy, trade, investment, customs, health, financial technology, space, culture and people-to-people ties. The two sides agreed to deepen cultural communication through exchanges in the fields of art, music, literature and cultural festivals. The two sides will also make preparations to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2026. One of the main pillars of the Embassy’s work in 2025 was the ‘State/Central Territory’ initiative, through which various Indian states and territories and their tourism and cultural potential were promoted throughout the year. Outreach to the youth became one of the Embassy’s most notable achievements. The Embassy Visit programme, which began in 2023, continues to develop as a platform for cultural and educational exchange. Nearly 600 students from over 30 schools visited and participated in interactive sessions that introduced them to India’s tourism circuits, ODOP’s artisans, Ayurvedic and wellness traditions, higher education opportunities, as well as India’s technological capabilities. The program aroused the curiosity of young Bahrainis and expatriate students alike, enhancing cultural understanding and encouraging long-term engagement with India. As a representative of India in the Kingdom of Bahrain, what has stood out most to you since your arrival in Bahrain? – Let me take this opportunity to extend warm congratulations on the declaration of 2026 as the “Year of Jesus the Great” by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Great King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in celebration He is the builder of the modern state and the leader of its institutional renaissance, and his lasting legacy in stability and institutional development. I extend my sincere thanks to His Majesty the King, to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the entire honorable royal family, to the ministries and government agencies in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and to the friendly Bahraini community, for their protection and support for Indian citizens residing in the Kingdom. How many members is the Indian community in Bahrain? What are the prominent sectors and areas in which the Indian community is concentrated? How do you evaluate the relationship between the Indian community and the Bahraini community? – The number of Indians in Bahrain is approximately 315,000 people, actively contributing to the economic growth of the Kingdom of Bahrain. We commend the Kingdom of Bahrain’s policies of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, as well as the welcoming society that has made Bahrain a preferred destination for Indian professionals, workers and their families. What about the existing cooperation between the GCC and India, including in the field of trade? – The GCC countries and India have close and friendly historical relations, supported by vital trade ties. And strong relations between peoples. In recent years, relations between India and the GCC countries have deepened in diverse areas including trade, investment, energy, health, technology and cultural exchanges. About 10 million Indians reside in the GCC countries. Trade and investment between India and the GCC continues to grow, with total trade reaching around US$178 billion in FY 2024-25.
