India looks forward towards Bahrain King's visit: Ahamed

Dubai, Apr 23 (UNI) India is ''looking forward'' to Bahrain King Hamad's visit to New Delhi, which will give a new dimension to bilateral relations.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed, who arrived on a two-day official visit to Bahrain last night as a special envoy of the President APJ Abdul Kalam carrying the invitation, said, ''We are now looking forward to the visit of His Majesty King Hamad.'' Politically the Gulf region is a part of India's extended neighbourhood, he said.

''During the recent GCC-India Industries Conference held in Oman, the Muscat Declaration was issued stressing the need to strengthen India's relationship with each GCC state,'' local press quoted Mr Ahamed as saying.

The Qatari Emir visited India last year and the Saudi King in January this year.

The Minister also met local Indians at the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre office in Manama.

UNI XC VJ DB2008