Over the years, India and Bahrain have enjoyed close and multifaceted ties, including regular high-level political exchanges

Continuing its efforts to help partner countries in dealing with Covid-19, India provided 100,000 doses of Covishield vaccines as a gift to Bahrain on Thursday.

India had earlier provided 1.5 million HCQ tablets to the country, in addition to sending nurses and medical professionals to help in the treatment of Covid-19 patients in Bahrain.

Over the years, India and Bahrain have enjoyed close and multifaceted ties, including regular high-level political exchanges and interactions, trade & economic, culture and people to people contacts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Bahrain in August 2019,. The first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Kingdom strengthened as well as diversified ties between the two countries. It specifically provided great momentum to bilateral ties in key areas like maritime security, the hydrocarbon sector, space technology, renewable energy, health, fintech, IT, infrastructure & construction.

Last year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Bahrain in November 2020, carrying forward this momentum in bilateral cooperation. The Foreign Minister of Bahrain is likely to visit India soon for the 3rd meeting of India-Bahrain High Joint Commission.

The people of India and Bahrain also enjoy close cultural as well as business ties, with Indians being the largest expatriate community in that country with over 3,50,000 people.

Bilateral trade between India and Bahrain is to the tune of about US$ 1 bn. Despite being a small country, investment from Bahrain into India has been substantial - cumulative FDI inflows from Bahrain to India in 2019 were US$ 180 million.

India and the Indian community in Bahrain are the largest investors in the country with a cumulative investment of over US$ 1.5 bn.

Over 60,000 Indian nationals travelled back to India from Bahrain under the Vande Bharat Mission launched in May last year. The leadership of Bahrain provided medical and other necessary support to the Indian community in Bahrain, besides support and facilitation to the repatriation mission.

The two sides have had a bilateral ‘Air Bubble’ arrangement since September 11, 2020. The operationalization of this arrangement allowed national carriers of both countries to operate a specified number of flights both ways. Over 30,000 Indian nationals have travelled back to Bahrain from India under this arrangement.