Accords include extradition and investments

Meera Ravi
New Delhi

The Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and his Indian counterpart, Atal Behari Vajpayee, yesterday held wide-ranging talks as the two countries signed five agreements to bolster relations and strengthen cooperation.
The accords included an extradition treaty to join forces to combat terrorism and fight organised crime, an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, an MoU on foreign office consultations to promote consultations and exchange of opinions. An agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Judicial, Commercial and Civil Matters and a bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection agreement.
These five agreements bring to nine the total number of bilateral agreements between Bahrain and India since 1981. In addition, talks this time also touched upon aviation matters and Gulf Air will most likely see an increase in destinations in and frequencies to India once discussions take place between civil aviation officials in both countries.
The talks held by the two prime ministers laid the ground for co-operation in the areas of IT technology, aviation, health, tourism and banking and finance as well as in judicial, civil and foreign office consultations.
On the Iraqi situation, both Bahrain and India stressed on the importance of upholding the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of that country.
Bahraini officials said Indian officials had expressed happiness that the Prime Minister’s visit would help establish Bahrain as a gateway for India to strengthen relations with the GCC .
The Prime Minister has stressed the need for Bahrain and India to carve a mutually beneficial relationship.
“We feel that the time has come to balance our intake of expertise in Bahrain with Indian resources,” the Prime Minister said. “We have reinforced our commitment to future development and co-operation by signing important agreements, which will go a long way in further strengthening our relations.



photo:The Prime Minister shakes hands with his Indian counterpart during a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi yesterday.

Last update on: 14-1-2004