M J Akbar to leave for Bahrain on Friday on 3-day visit

Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar will pay a three-day visit to Bahrain from Friday to attend the annual Manama Dialogue, a key forum dealing with defence and security related issues of the Gulf region.
The external affairs ministry said Akbar will address the plenary session at the Manama Dialogue being organised jointly by the International Institute of Strategic Studies and the Government of Bahrain.
"During the visit, he will also meet with the Bahraini leadership to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest," it said.
Bahrain is an important partner for India in the Gulf region with bilateral trade exceeding USD 760 million in 2016 -17.

According to official figures, over 4,00,000 Indian nationals are working in Bahrain.
"Their positive and well-appreciated contribution in the development of Bahrain has been an important anchor of our excellent bilateral engagement," the MEA said.