India, Bahrain discuss strengthening of bilateral ties

New Delhi, Mar 20 (UNI) Bahrain's Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, currently on a four-day official visit to India, today held discussions with senior Ministers for strengthening bilateral relations in various spheres including political, economic and cultural.

The Crown Prince, who arrived here yesterday, separately met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed.

Bilateral relations and regional and the international situation came up for discussion at the meetings.

National Security Advisor M K Narayanan also called on the Crown Prince who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahraini Defence Forces.

Shaikh Salman also attended a luncheon meeting with representativess of the Indian industry. The function was organised by three major business chambers--ASSOCHAM/CII/FICCI.

In the evening, he is scheduled to have a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the latter's 7-Race Course Road residence.

He will also call on President A P J Abdul Kalam and in the evening, have a meeting with Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

The two countries are also scheduled to sign two agreements for cooperation in the fields of media and culture after talks with the Prime Minister.

Shaikh Salman will open Bahrain's embassy in the Indian capital.

Tomorrow, the Crown Prince will deliver the keynote address at the Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA), a think tank for foreign policy.

Immediately after the keynote address, he will leave for Agra and Mumbai. In Agra, the Crown Prince will visit the Taj Mahal and in Mumbai the Naval Dockyard and the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The Crown Prince is accompanied by Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed al Khalifa, Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro and senior officials and business leaders. He was received at the airport by the Minister of State for External Affairs.

UNI