India and Bahrain Pledge to Combat Terrorism Together
On Monday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Bahraini counterpart, Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani, acknowledged the Indian community's significant role as a vital bridge between the two nations. They emphasized the importance of mutual collaboration in areas such as healthcare, tourism, and education.
In a joint statement issued after the 4th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission Meeting on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the significance of the Indian community in Bahrain as a vital link between the two nations.
It acknowledged their substantial contribution to Bahrain's development. The Indian delegation praised Bahrain's progressive policies of tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and its welcoming society, which have made the Kingdom a favored destination for Indian professionals, workers, and their families.
Both sides recognized their collaborative efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped mitigate its impact. The Indian government also expressed gratitude to Bahrain's leadership for granting royal pardons to over 125 Indian nationals in the past year, reflecting the Kingdom's generosity.
The two nations also concurred on broadening the range of their collaboration in the field of education. In this context, the Indian side expressed their welcome to more Bahraini students who are interested in enrolling in top higher education institutions in India. Both parties emphasized the significance of striving to establish a Memorandum of Understanding between their governments to boost educational collaboration.
The countries agreed to strengthen collaboration on consular matters and supported the creation of a Joint Consular Committee to address shared interests and enhance cooperation in this area.
The meeting also highlighted the ongoing growth of cultural exchanges, with both nations committing to renew their Cultural Exchange Program and develop new initiatives to deepen their ties.
The two Ministers reaffirmed their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, urging all nations to renounce and oppose the use of terrorism as a tool against other countries.
Additionally, Bahrain extended its congratulations to India for successfully hosting the G20 Summit under the theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family, One Future." India, in turn, expressed appreciation for Bahrain's active participation, including its engagement in the Y-20 Summit.
EAM Jaishankar commended Bahrain for its active participation in all three editions of the "Voice of Global South" Summits, highlighting the shared commitment to uniting Global South countries to exchange development priorities and perspectives.