Stage is set for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bahrain visit

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Preparations are being finalised to host one of the largest gatherings of the Indian diaspora in Bahrain, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to land this weekend.

Mr Modi’s visit to Bahrain on Saturday and Sunday is the first ever state visit by an Indian Prime Minister.

He will be holding talks with Bahrain’s leadership and is expected to address the Indian community.

The initial venue for the mega gathering was the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Sanabis, however, with the number of attendees expected to hit tens of thousands it has been changed to the Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa, the GDN has learned.

The Indian Embassy has set up a special website, www.indianpminbahrain.com, for the occasion, which states that Mr Modi “will be interacting with Indian community members” during the two-day visit.

Registration via the website is expected to continue throughout this week to allow the maximum number of people to attend. The embassy yesterday announced that registration has also been opened for Indians living in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

“There is great enthusiasm and overwhelming aspiration amongst the Indian community here to welcome the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Indian Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha told the GDN.

“The embassy is working with various associations to facilitate this community event and trying to meet all their expectations.

“The Prime Minister will also visit the Shreenathji Temple to launch its renovation.”

Mr Sinha said the high-level visit will focus on various areas including co-operation in the field of space and oil and gas.

“Bahrain announced in April (last year) the discovery of tight oil and deep gas reserves in the Khaleej Al Bahrain basin,” he said.

“This has opened opportunities for collaborations between the two countries in the hydrocarbon sector.

“Our oil public sector undertakings are keen to invest in securing a bloc in the Khaleej Al Bahrain basin.”

Last year’s discovery off the country’s west coast was the largest oil and gas find since 1932, and estimated to contain at least 80 billion barrels of tight oil.

Mr Sinha also revealed that discussions with Bahraini officials will cover enhanced co-operation in the area of space technology, with a statement of intent expected to be signed during the visit.

“Bahrain and India discussions are ongoing to launch CubeSat,” he added.

This will be Bahrain’s first satellite to be launched by the end of next year and will help transmit data for weather forecast, as well as information on emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere.

Mr Sinha also said bilateral trade between the two countries has maintained an upward trajectory, with Indian investments growing in the financial services, real estate and hospitality sectors.

“The Indian community is eagerly looking forward to this first ever state visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Bahrain,” added the diplomat.

sandy@gdn.com.bh

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