“The year 2023 will be an important year for India, as it chairs both Group of Twenty (G20) Forum and Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO), taking global leadership roles and working for collective prosperity and growth.
“Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi said that India’s GPO 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 Bahrain continue its momentum and upward trajectory. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, and Prime Minister Modi held a telephonic conversation at the beginning of the year.
“This was followed by a number of visits by senior political and official, trade and commercial, security and defence delegations, including that of Dr Shaikh Abdullah, Under-Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to India for the third Foreign Office Consultations, and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru to Bahrain.
“Oil and Environment Minister of Bahrain Dr Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Daina participated in the ‘Voice of the Global South Summit’, virtually hosted by India earlier this month.
“Our economic and commercial co-operation is growing in education, health and pharmaceutical 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 the top trading partners of Bahrain, with bilateral trade reaching its highest ever level of more than $1.65 billion in 2021-22.
“The year-long celebrations for the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations, focusing on our deep bonds of friendship and rich and diverse cultural heritage, saw enthusiastic participation of both Indian and Bahraini people.
“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 SCO) in various events being hosted by India as SCO chair this year.
“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. This was reflected in their participation, in large numbers, in the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention, held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh from January 8 to 10, 2023.
“Thanks to Bahrain’s policies of harmony and peaceful coexistence, our community here has done well professionally and made significant contributions to the development of this beautiful Kingdom.
“I join the Indian community in thanking and expressing gratitude to the leadership, government and the people of Bahrain for their warmth, care and affection.
“I wish continued progress, well-being and prosperity to the friendly people of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
“Long live India-Bahrain friendship!”
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