MANAMA — Bahrain's Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani met here on Tuesday with his Indian counterpart Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to the kingdom.

During the meeting, Dr. Al-Zayani commended the close bilateral relations between Bahrain and India, which are based on foundations of mutual respect and joint coordination, stressing Manama's aspiration to enhance bilateral cooperation with New Delhi in various fields.

He praised the role of the Indian community in Bahrain and their significant contributions to the development and progress that the kingdom is witnessing in all sectors, wishing India and its friendly people further progress and prosperity.

For his part, the Indian foreign minister expressed the sincere condolences of the Indian government on the demise of the late Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, commending his great contributions to strengthening relations of friendship and cooperation between the two friendly countries and people.

He lauded solid bilateral relations existing between Bahrain and India and the constant development and progress it has reached at all levels, pointing out the kingdom’s positions, its regional and international standing, and its efforts to consolidate security, stability, and prosperity in the region and promote world peace.

He expressed the Indian government's thanks and appreciation to Bahrain for the care provided to the Indian community in Bahrain, which reflects the depth of the bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation between the two friendly countries and peoples.

He also highlighted the care extended by the kingdom in preserving the health and safety of Indian workers during COVID-19, wishing Bahrain continued progress and prosperity.

The meeting also discussed the historical friendship and cooperation between Bahrain and India and the means to enhance and develop bilateral cooperation between them in a way that serves common interests. — Bahrain News Agency