India-Bahrain to boost trade ties

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): Visiting Bahrain Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid met his Indian counterpart S. M. Krishna here on Friday and vowed to boost their two billion dollar energy and trade ties.

Khalid, who is on a two-day state visit to India, discussed various issues with Krishna to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

The two leaders also held parleys on scaling up trade and investment.

According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Praksh, Khalid discussed bilateral relations and issues of common concern with Krishna.

The two sides held discussions on scaling up trade and investment, Prakash said.

Bahrain is India's important partner in energy security.

'The discussion was warm and marked with cordiality. They discussed mutual close ties. The visit offers good opportunity for Indian industry,' he added.

Issues relating to the welfare of Indians living in Bahrain also figured in the talks.

Indians constitute about 30 percent of the one million population in Bahrain.

Bahrain is seeking to attract Indian companies from information and communications technology and financial services, apart from seeking to improve its non-oil trade with India.

The visit of the Bahrain Foreign Minister comes about a fortnight ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Saudi Arabia. (ANI)