| Archeological
excavations have shown that Bahrain and India enjoyed cordial
relations during the Delmon Civilization and Indus valley
civilization 5000 years ago. The main medium of interaction
at that period was trade and commerce. When Bahrain was
under the British protection, Indian Rupee was used in Bahrain.
The traders of the famous Bahraini pearls used to explore
all over the world including India which was one of the
biggest market for their wares and return Bahrain laden
with various Indian spices.
I.
DIPLOMATIC AND POLITICAL RELATIONS:
Bahrain and India have always maintained a very friendly
and stable relationship. Diplomatic relations have been
established between Kingdom of Bahrain and Republic of India
at the ambassadorial level in 12 October 1971. Bahrain was
attached to India by friendly political relations, as both
countries are members of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The
bilateral relations between the two fraternal, independent
and sovereign nation states improved on political ground
due to similarity of foreign policy based on the principles
of the United Nations.
The
Political leadership in both countries has common vision
on regional peace and stability. As India is spread on a
vast area of South-east Asia with commercial and economical
importance, and Bahrain by its geographical and strategic
situation in the Gulf region occupies prominent place internationally.
Bahrain and India have common views about several issues
i.e regional stability and they cooperate in the international
organizations.
II.
OFFICIAL VISITS FROM BOTH SIDES:
Visits and meetings between officials of both countries
prove that there is positive and permanent communications
in various fields. The most important visits of high dignitaries
and responsible persons from the two countries are as the
following :
VISITS
FROM BAHRAIN'S SIDE
Visit
of late H.H. Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al- Khalifa, the late
Ameer of Bahrain in 1981.
Visit of late H.H. Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al- Khalifa, Ameer
of Bahrain in March 1983 to participate in non-aligned conference.
Visit of H.H. Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al- Khalifa, P.M
of Bahrain from 11 to 14 January 2004.
Visit of H.H. Prince Salman Bin Hamd Al- Khalifa, Crown
Prince and Commander in Chief of Bahrain Army from 19 to
23 march 2007.
VISITS FROM INDIA SIDE:
Visit
of Honourable Mr. Giani Zail Singh, President of India,
in 1983.
Visit of Indian Vice President Mr.Krisnakant in march 1999
to condole on the death of Late H.H Shaikh Isa Bin Salman
Al- Khalifa, the late Ameer of Bahrain.
IMPORTANT VISITS OF HIGH DIGNITARIES FROM BAHRAIN
Visit of the crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain to India in May 2012.
The crown prince his royal highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Bahrain Defence Force, visited Mumbai on the 30th of May 2012, and met with top Business Brass of Mumbai and Key Politicians.
A lunch reception was hosted for the royal entourage at the ballroom, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. The power lunch was attended by H.E.Mr.Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Khaja and Business Delegations who accompanied his royal highness.
Hrh – the crown prince also visited New Delhi, on the 31st of May 2012, and held a private meeting with the Honourable Prime Minister of India Mr. Manmohan singh,where new economic and political ties were further strengthened between the two countries.
III. JOINT COMMITTEE OF BAHRAIN AND INDIA:
The First Meeting of Bahrain-Indo Joint Economic and Technical
Committee (JETC) was held in New Delhi in 1986, and the
Second in Bahrain in 1991. The Third Session was held in
New Delhi on 11-12 November 1998. The Fourth Session of
the Committee was held in Manama, 14 -15 November 2007.
The two sides identified a number of areas of cooperation
including economic, commercial, educational and cultural
field.
IV.
BILATERAL AGREEMENTS:
India and Bahrain have always maintained friendly and cordial
relations. The two countries understand and appreciate each
other’s view points on regional and international
issues. The two countries had signed the following agreements:
- A
Cultural Agreement between India and Bahrain was concluded
in January 1975. This was followed by a two-year Cultural
Exchange Programme (CEP) for the years 1981-82, signed
in April 1981, during the first state visit of the Amir
of Bahrain to India.
- Protocol
of Cooperation in the field of Information was signed
on 27/03/1981 in New Delhi.
- India
and Bahrain signed an Economic and Technical Cooperation
Agreement in April 1981 during the visit of the Amir
to New Delhi.
- Cultural
Exchange Programme (CEP) between the Government of both
countries for the year 1985-87 was signed on 8/12/1985.
- Cultural
Exchange Programme (CEP) between the Government of two
countries for the years 1992-94 was signed on 23/11/1991.
- An
agreement signed between the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce
and Industry and the Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce and Industry which was signed on 12 April 1994
to set up a Bahraini-Indian Business Council.
- Air
Services Agreement: signed in New Delhi by the Bahraini
Minister of Transportation and the Indian Civil Minister
Shri Sharad Yadav on April 5, 2000.
- During
H.H. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al- Khalifa, the Prime
Minister’s State Visit to India in January 2004,
the following bilateral agreements have been signed:
- Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation between Ministries
of Foreign Affairs;
- Agreement
on Juridical and Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial
Matters;
- Extradition
Treaty;
- Agreement
on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters;
- Agreement
on the Promotion and Protection of Bilateral Investment
- An
Agreement for Cooperation between Prasar Bharati and
Bahrain Radio and TV Corporation have been signed on
20th March, 2007 during the visit of H.H. Shaikh Salman
Bin Hamd Al- Khalifa, the Crown Prince to India.
V.
TRADE BETWEEN KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN AND REPUBLIC OF INDIA:
GENERAL
INDICATIONS
A.
IMPORTANT EXPORTS OF BAHRAIN TO INDIA:
Liquid Ammonia, Grains and powder
of iron and steel, scraps of iron and steel, scraps of brass,
plates, slices and wires of aluminum
Powder of Aluminum ore or unrefined sulpher, Skin of Sheep's
with wools, Scraps of zinc and Steel,
Basket of Iron and Steel pipes.
B.
IMPORTANT IMPORTS FROM INDIA:
Vegetables, Mangoes, Bars and Pillars
of Aluminum, Fragment, Frozen meet, Golden Jewelries, TV Sets, Tires
of cars, Frozen Fishes.
C.
INDIAN COMMERCIAL AGENCIES WHICH ARE REGISTERED IN BAHRAIN:
The number of Indian commercial agencies
in Bahrain which are registered is 123.
D.
BRANCHES OF REGISTERED COMPANIES IN BAHRAIN:
1. Aviation Company (India Airlines).
2. Services of internal maintenance of streamers: Planners
Group International.
3. Maintenance and Repairing of navel: I & I Engineers.
4. Preparation and Supply of advanced computer programmes
(Technology Labs, PVT LTD).
5. Offices of representing companies Tampis Communication
Lts.
6. Consultancy in system of employment and network of communication
by computer PS Lab.
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