More than 18,000 people are expected to attend a community address by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this weekend.

Considered to be the biggest gathering of the Indian diaspora in Bahrain, preparations are underway for Saturday’s event at the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa.

Mr Modi will arrive in Bahrain on Saturday for a two-day state visit, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the kingdom.

Thousands of text messages were sent out by the Indian Embassy yesterday, urging all those who registered for the event to collect their passes today and tomorrow between 8am and 8pm from the embassy grounds in Seef District.

“The embassy has made sufficient arrangements for the distribution of the invitation cards to the Indian community to attend the event that will be held at the prestigious National Stadium in Riffa,” Indian Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha told the GDN yesterday.

“The invitation cards will facilitate the smooth entry of the attendees based on first come first served basis.”

Indians living in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia who registered for the event will have to present their original smart card and original or copy of their passport in order to collect their passes.

The passes can be collected from designated counters set up at the embassy following the verification of their documents.

“The embassy is also making alternative arrangements to accommodate those who could not register and will announce more details shortly,” said Mr Sinha.

“We are working to meet the overwhelming aspirations of the Indian community to welcome the Indian Prime Minister.”

Well-placed sources told the GDN that more than 18,000 people were expected to attend the gathering, with the figure likely to increase in the next 48 hours. The event will feature an address by Mr Modi along with a line-up of cultural programmes featuring traditional Indian music and dance.

“More than 150 people are participating in a traditional cultural programme that will feature dances and patriotic songs,” said an Indian community member.

“There are hectic preparations being done by several groups from different associations who are all hyped about this mega event, which will showcase the Indian and Bahrain diaspora to the international community.”

During the visit, Mr Modi will meet and hold talks with His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to discuss bilateral relations and also regional and international issues.

His Majesty King Hamad will host a dinner banquet in honour of the Indian leader, who will also launch the renovation of Shreenathji (Shree Krishna) Temple in Manama.

Mr Modi will also launch the Indian payment card RuPay in Bahrain besides signing key agreements on culture, space and renewable energy.

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