Manama/New Delhi. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain on July 14-15 to Co-Chair the second High Joint Commission (HJC) Meeting with Bahraini Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa.

The meeting covered a range of issues including, inter alia, political, economic, security and cultural ties. The first meeting of HJC was held in New Delhi in February, 2015.

During the visit, the EAM also met with the Bahraini leadership to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest and inaugurate new Chancery-cum-Residential complex.

Bilaterally, India enjoys close and multifaceted ties with Bahrain, underpinned by regular exchange of high-level visits and extensive people-to-people contacts.

Bahrain is an important partner for India in the Gulf region. Further 3,50,000 Indian nationals, the largest expatriate community in Bahrain, and more than 3000 Indian-owned/joint ventures have been contributing to the development of Bahrain.

This visit provides an opportunity to further cement our mutually beneficial bilateral ties with Bahrain.