At the invitation of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India paid State visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain on 24 and 25 August 2019. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior officials.
2. The visit of Prime Minister Modi to Bahrain is the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister. It was a historical and important milestone in the long-standing brotherly ties and bilateral cooperation between the two countries, founded on close historical bonds, shared principles, mutual interests as well as common aspiration for international peace, stability and prosperity.
3. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, received His Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India and his accompanying delegation at the Gudaibiya Palace, in the presence of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. His Majesty the King, hosted an official banquet in honour of the Prime Minister of India.
4. His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, bestowed Bahrain Order – First Class on His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic India in recognition of his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Bahrain. 5. Prime Minister was given grand ceremonial welcome at Gudaibiya Palace followed by talks with His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Both leaders discussed a range of issues on bilateral, regional and international front.
6. Prime Minister Modi received His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.
7. During the official meetings, the two sides underlined their close bilateral ties, deep-rooted in shared history and cultural affinities, sustained and nourished through growing economic linkages and close people-to-people contacts. The wide-ranging discussions were held in a sincere, friendly and forward-looking atmosphere with useful exchanges of views on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
8. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations and agreed to further broaden and deepen the engagement in diverse fields of mutual interest, and underlined the importance of enhancing high-level political exchanges, defence and higher education cooperation, trade and economic relations and people-to-people linkages. Both sides welcomed the efforts of the High Joint Commission between Bahrain-India. 9. During the meetings, the two sides also noted the increasing trend of bilateral trade and existing potential for two-way investments, reaffirmed their desire to provide favourable environments for trade and investments.
10. The following MoUs were signed during the visit:
i. Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Bahrain
ii. Statement of Intent on the collaboration between ISRO and NSSA in the area of Space Technology
iii. Statement of Intent on the collaboration of Bahrain with ISA
iv. Memorandum of Understanding between BENEFIT and NPCI for Launch of "RuPay Card’ in Bahrain
11. The Indian side welcomed the interest of the Kingdom of Bahrain to join the International Solar alliance (ISA), recognising the importance of it as international intergovernmental organisation, which has become an effective platform to facilitate the deployment of solar energy.
12. Both sides reaffirmed their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of the identity of the perpetrators and their motives, and they agreed to further enhance cooperation in the field of security, counter-terrorism and the exchange of intelligence and information. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
13. The two sides also noted the need for concerted action by the international community against terrorism including through early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and underlined the importance of comprehensive sanctioning of terrorists and their organizations by the UN.
14. Expressing satisfaction on their ongoing bilateral cooperation in the area of security, two sides welcomed the ‘Security Dialogue’ meetings at regular intervals, at the level of Deputy National Security Advisors. The two sides discussed ways and means to further promote cooperation in cyber security, including prevention of use of cyber space for terrorism, radicalization and for disturbing social harmony. Both sides called on all states to reject the use of terrorism against other countries; dismantle terrorism infrastructures where they happen to exist and to cut off any kind of support and financing to the terrorists perpetrating terrorism from all territories against other states; and bring perpetrators of acts of terrorism to justice.
15. The two sides agreed to focus on enhancing cooperation in energy, covering the areas of joint exploration and training of human resources. Prime Minister congratulated Bahrain on the recent discovery of huge oil and Gas reserves. The Indian side highlighted the interest of its energy companies to pursue opportunities of conventional exploration as well as development of newly discovered oil and gas assets in Bahrain.
16. The two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf region, vital for the security and safety of sea lanes.
17. Both sides emphasized on the urgent need to pursue UN reforms, including the Security Council through an expansion of both categories of its membership, to make it more representative and effective in tackling global challenges.
18. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment towards reformed multilateralism and underlined the need to strengthen and reform multilateral system and institutions to address the aspirations of the developing countries.
19. With regards to regional connectivity projects, both sides agreed that they should be based on international law including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
20. Both the leaders reaffirmed the commitment to pluralism, values of tolerance, peaceful coexistence and religious freedom.
21. His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India praised the initiative of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, to declare April 5 as the International Day of Conscience.
22. Prime Minister of the Republic of India expressed his thanks and appreciation to the leadership and people of the Kingdom of Bahrain for the warm welcome and hospitality, and extended an invitation to His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister to visit the Republic of India at a mutually convenient time, which was gladly accepted.
