Bharathi Association welcomes Indian Ambassador

TDT | Manama

Bharathi Association officials held a meeting with new Indian Ambassador Piyush Srivastava. They honoured the ambassador in a traditional way with a shawl and welcomed him on behalf of the Tamil community.

Among those present were former president Abdul Qaiyum, founder and COVID-19 relief committee chief coordinator Mohamed Hussain Malim, president Balasubraminain Saravanan and secretary Govindan Periyasamy.

The officials discussed several issues with the ambassador, including bringing back stranded Indian nationals, particularly from Chennai, who hold valid Resident Permits and who are desperate to return to their jobs in the Kingdom. It was also brought to the ambassador’s concern the grievances faced by students in India, who hold visit visas and desire to join their parents residing in Bahrain.

The ambassador said he is aware of these issues and they are among his first priorities. The ambassador further discussed the ongoing progress about an air bubble pact between Bahrain and India. He said it will be coming into effect with certain restrictions and that India’s Civil Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri is currently in talks with 13 more countries to establish an air bubble arrangement.The ambassador praised the role and service undertaken by all Indian associations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and thanked Bharathi Association for its ongoing social services.