Indian embassies in Gulf to be expanded : Ahamed

Dubai, Oct 17 (UNI) Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed has indicated that the Indian embassies in Gulf countries will be expanded with more staff to handle the increased work load.

''This was one of the recommendations made by Indian ambassadors in the Gulf who participated in a meeting called by the Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and me in Doha earlier this year,'' Mr Ahamed said.

''The proposal was since sent to the Finance Ministry. I shall take up the issue again on my return to New Delhi and take a positive decision at the earliest,'' he said.

Five Bahraini consultants were asked to submit designs for the new embassy building in Bahrain, Gulf Daily News reported an official as saying.

He said it was indeed nice on the part of the Bahrain government to take action against those responsible for the July labour camp blaze in which 16 Indians were killed.

He also thanked the Saudi government for giving pardon to 56 Indian prisoners in the Eastern Province as part of a Ramadan amnesty.

Mr Ahamed said the government was looking forward to the visit of Bahrain Crown Prince and Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Armed Forces Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to India expected in December.

Bahrain, which currently has its consulate in Mumbai, has decided to upgrade its diplomatic status in India and the Crown Prince is expected to open the new Bahrain Embassy in New Delhi during his official visit to India.

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