Bahrain expats’ preferred destination, says Minister of India

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

P Unnikrishnan

Bahrain’s liberal and tolerant policies had made it a preferred destination for the Indian community members, who are an integral part of every organisation in the Kingdom, said V Muraleedharan, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs.

“This was also evident in the exceptional care given by the Government of Bahrain to the expatriate community, of which Indians form the majority, during the difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said the minister, expressing his delight at visiting the “beautiful Kingdom of Bahrain.”

Speaking to Indian community members during a reception at Gulf Hotel, the minister said Bahrain had provided exceptional care to the expatriate community amid the circumstances brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanked HM King, HRH CP, PM He said: “I take this opportunity to thank His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the government and people, for their love, affection and care for the Indian community in Bahrain.”

V Muraleedharan also expressed hope that the further easing of travel restrictions will follow, “with COVID-19 situation having improved in both India and Bahrain.”

“We hope to see a further easing of travel restrictions and much more exchanges in future,” he said.

India, he said, administered vaccines to more than 640 million people, which is more than half of the eligible population of India.

“All there are taken care of while ensuring necessary reforms in sectors including economy, education and agriculture,” the minister stressed, adding, “as a result, our economy is currently tracking an upward trajectory with the government resuming most of the activities.”

“The US$84 billion FDI inflow during the pandemic year 2020- 21 itself heralds the strength of the Indian economy and the confidence of investors in it.”

Indians, he said, are currently working in all prominent business sectors of Bahrain, “and there is hardly any organisation in Bahrain without an Indian expatriate.” Double Tax Avoidance On Double Tax Avoidance with Bahrain, the minister said the Indian government is working on such a deal with Bahrain.

India has DTAA with 88 countries, but not with Bahrain, making almost every NRI in Bahrain liable to pay tax in India.

“This is going to change soon,” said the minister. 750,00 India-owned and Joint Venture Cos He also pointed out that there are over 750,00 India-owned and Joint Venture companies in the Kingdom. “Their contributions are not only supporting their organisation but also the overall growth and progress of Bahrain’s economy.”

“The regular high-level visits and exchanges have further strengthened and diversified our bilateral ties over the years.”

Recalling the visit of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in 2012 and His Majesty the King in 2014 to India, the minister said those visits provided a “big boost and momentum to these ties” and set the “roadmap of our present bilateral relations.”

“Elevating the bilateral ties to newer heights and diversified areas was the visit of the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to Bahrain in 2019,” he said.

Today, minister Muraleedharan said, our two countries have joined hands in diverse areas, including defence and maritime security, space and economic and trade sectors such as IT, Fintech, hydrocarbon, renewable energy, health, education and infrastructure. “Such is the resilience of our relationship that even during pandemic times not only bilateral interaction in various sectors continued in virtual format, but physical visits also took place, whenever the opportunity arose.” “Both our Foreign Ministers visited each other countries in November last year and April this year. In the same spirit, we also closely collaborated in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and ensured that connectivity remained open.”

Embassies ready to assist V Muraleedharan, the minister, also said that the Indian community residing in Bahrain are an integral part of the two milestone events - The Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav commemorating 75 years of India and the Golden Jubilee of diplomatic relations between India and Bahrain.

The minister further expressed the readiness of the Indian Embassies to assist expatriates in all situations, stressing the importance of social media in communication.

“Ensuring the safety, security and well-being of Indian diaspora, in particular our skilled and semi-skilled workers, is the top priority of the Government of India.”

During the event, the minister honoured KG Baburajan, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2021 winner.

The award honoured his dedication and exceptional work and services for the welfare of our community in Bahrain.

The minister yesterday also visited KrishnaTemple in Manama, where he held talks with Bob Thaker, the President of Thattai Hindu Merchants Community, Mukesh Kavlani, the Vice President and Jayant Bhati, Treasurer.