A 5,000-year journey of trade binds India and Bahrain in a future-forward embrace

Agencies | New Delhi     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Zainab Zaman

From fragrant spices to shimmering pearls, an ancient trade route linked India and Bahrain for 5,000 years. Now, a new chapter unfolds—a vibrant tapestry woven of real estate, technology, and aerospace.

This week, 24 journalists from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) witnessed firsthand the flourishing collaboration between these two nations, a partnership nurtured by rich cultural exchange and fuelled by economic dynamism.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India hosted the dialogue, showcasing projects that bridge sectors and borders. Imagine bustling Bahraini infrastructure adorned with Indian expertise, or the shared wisdom of health practices soaring through joint aerospace ventures. These are not just projects; they are threads strengthening the economic fabric of both nations.

“This relationship is critical,” declared Muktesh K. Pardeshi, Secretary (CPV & OIA) at the MEA. He pointed to the thriving Indian community in the GCC, over 9 million strong, driving progress in diverse sectors.

This human bridge facilitates a flourishing trade, with exports from India like rice, seafood, and engineering marvels finding a ready market in Bahrain. The numbers speak volumes. Trade between India and GCC nations now clocks in at a staggering 184 billion dollars, a 20% leap from last year. Fuel, agriculture, and chemicals contribute their share, but it’s the rising stars like organic products and oil and gas that paint a picture of a diversified future.

As the sands of time shift, India and Bahrain embrace the future, hand in hand. Their ancient bond, seasoned with cultural exchange and economic prowess, promises a golden era of shared prosperity, whispering tales of progress across the whispering sands.