President hosts banquet in Bahrain King's honour

President Pranab Mukherjee received Bahrain King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hosted a banquet in his honour.

He said that the royal family of Bahrain has played a pivotal role in promoting, enriching and diversifying relations between both countries.

"The royal family of Bahrain has played a pivotal role in promoting, enriching and diversifying relations between India and Bahrain for mutual benefit. The Gulf region is source of over half of India's energy needs, home to over 7 million Indians and as a region, India's largest trading partner. It is part of India's extended neighbourhood. India has substantial stakes in peace and stability in the region," said Mukherjee.

In his banquet speech, the President said India and Bahrain have a long standing friendship based on civilisational ties.

"The two countries have in recent times, expanded their ties of trust and understanding into a comprehensive relationship across the full spectrum of political, economic, commercial and people to people contacts," he said.

The President welcomed people from Bahrain, both from the private as well as the public sector, to invest in the country.

Al-Khalifa said that exchange of views with Indian officials at all levels on the latest international developments has made Bahrain acknowledge and appreciate the great efforts the country exerted in strengthening and consolidating international security and stability throughout the world, including the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf region.

"Bahrain recognizes India's unmistakable efforts in countering and combating international terrorism as well as its cooperation to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and shapes, alongside India's call for non-intervention in the internal affairs of others," said Al-Khalifa.

"We truly value the hard work, devotion, determination, and immeasurable contributions of the Indian community in the modern development process of the Kingdom. Moreover, Bahrain treasures the relations shared by people of the two countries; Bahrain is host to a substantial Indian community, the largest expatriate community residing in Bahrain," he said.

"Their contribution is invaluable. They enjoy full freedom to practice their religious rituals equally as the rest of all citizens and other expatriates, and have the right to join professional associations and elect their representatives in Municipal elections. This is sewn into the national fabric of Bahrain's versatile society," he added.