Kerala Chief Minister Meets Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met with His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah AlKhalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, on Friday, as part of his ongoing multi-country Gulf tour aimed at engaging with the Malayali diaspora and promoting investment opportunities in Kerala.

The meeting, held in Manama, focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and expanding trade, investment, and cultural exchange between Kerala and Bahrain.

Also present were H.E. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Bahrain’s Minister of Commerce and Industry; Vinod K. Jacob, Indian Ambassador to Bahrain; and M.A. Yusuff Ali, Chairman of Lulu Group.

During the discussions, the Bahraini Deputy Prime Minister praised the significant contributions of the Indian community — particularly Keralites — to Bahrain’s growth and development. He expressed interest in strengthening collaboration in key sectors such as commerce, tourism, and education.

Chief Minister Vijayan thanked the Bahraini leadership for the warm welcome and reaffirmed Kerala’s commitment to fostering international partnerships that benefit its global diaspora and boost the state’s economy. He also outlined Kerala’s recent development initiatives and invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in infrastructure, technology, and tourism.

The meeting was part of Vijayan’s wider Gulf itinerary, which includes visits to Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE. During his stay in Bahrain, the Chief Minister is also scheduled to attend the “Keralites Meet 2025,” organised by the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam, Loka Kerala Sabha, and the Malayalam Mission.

The visit underscores Kerala’s growing focus on global outreach and its continued efforts to strengthen cultural and economic ties with Gulf nations that host a large expatriate population from the state.