External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar undertook a Six-day Three Nation visit to Kingdom of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Republic of Seychelles from November 24-28, 2020. During the visit, he held meetings with Foreign Affairs Ministers & the top leadership of these countries.
Visit of EAM to the Kingdom of Bahrain:
EAM, Jaishankar visited the Kingdom of Bahrain from November 24-25, 2020.
This is Jaishankar’s first visit to Bahrain as EAM.
Meeting with Dignitaries:
ii.EAM called on Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain & Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
iii.He also held talks with Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Condolence:
EAM condoled the demise of Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Key points:
i.Bahrain lauded the contribution of India for providing assistance to them through supply of medicines, medical equipment and medical professionals during the pandemic.
ii.Both sides agreed to strengthen the ties in areas of Defence and Maritime Security, space technology, trade and investment, infrastructure, Information Technology (IT), FinTech, health, Hydrocarbon and Renewable Energy.
iii.They also agreed to strengthen their cooperation in Covid related issues.
iv.India thanked Bahrain for hosting and taking care of the Indian Community ( 3, 50, 000 Indian Nationals) during the pandemic.
v.EAM virtually interacted with leaders of the Indian community in Bahrain.
Visit to Shreenathji Temple:
He paid a visit to 200 years old Shreenathji (Lord Krishna) temple in Manama and National Museum of Bahrain.
Renewal of Invitation:
EAM also renewed invitation to Bahrain’s Foreign Minister for visiting India for the 3rd India-Bahrain High Joint Commission meeting in 2021.
Visit of EAM to the United Arab Emirates (UAE):
EAM Jaishankar paid a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on November 25-26, 2020.
He called on Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi & Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of UAE during the visit.
Key Points:
i.India thanked UAE for taking care of Indian Community during the pandemic.
ii.The two sides discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest and agreed to continue cooperation in International forums.
iii.Both sides also discussed Economic Cooperation in the post-COVID period.
iv.EAM virtually addressed the meetings with Indian Community of Dubai and Northern Emirates during the visit.
Areas of Cooperation:
India & UAE reviewed their cooperation in various sectors which fall under the comprehensive strategic partnership such as Trade, Investment, Infrastructure, Energy, Food Security and Defence.
India Pavilion at Expo 2020:
EAM reviewed the progress made in construction of India Pavilion at Expo 2020, Dubai. The India pavilion will showcase India’s strength in Innovation and Technology, Arts & Culture.
Indian Expatriate Community in UAE:
The Indian Expatriate Community in UAE stands at 30.4 Lakhs which makes it the largest ethnic community in the UAE. Indian Expatriates make up around 30 % of UAE’s Population.
Visit of EAM to the Republic of Seychelles:
EAM, Jaishankar paid a two-day official visit to the Republic of Seychelles from November 27-28, 2020.
He called on Wavel Ramkalawan, President of Seychelles and Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Seychelles.
Key Points:
i.Jaishankar Congratulated President Ramkalawan on his victory in the 2020 Seychelles General Elections.
ii.EAM also extended Invitation to President Ramkalawan to visit India in 2021.
iii.India emphasized on strengthening the India-Seychelles Strategic Partnership in post-COVID period.
iv.Seychelles lauded India’s Assistance in the form of Medical supplies and Critical drugs during the Pandemic.
v.The two sides agreed to strengthen efforts to combat drug trafficking, Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Piracy, Climate Change.
Topics of Discussion:
The two sides held discussions over various aspects such as Development Partnership, Capacity Building, Defence Cooperation, People to people and cultural ties, trade, tourism & commerce & health.
SAGAR & Neighborhood First Policy:
India also highlighted the importance of Seychelles to India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). It also emphasized that Seychelles is part of India’s Neighborhood First Policy.
Recent Related News:
i.Union Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had a four-days visit to Russia from September 8-11, 22 to attend the SCO-CFM (Council of Foreign Ministers) Meeting in Moscow.
ii.On September 7, 2020 India- Angola Joint Commission held its 1st meeting through video-conferencing.
About Ministry of External Affairs:
Union Minister– Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
Minister of State– V. Muraleedharan
About Bahrain:
Capital – Manama
Currency – Bahraini Dinar (BHD)
About United Arab Emirates:
Capital– Abu Dhabi
Currency– UAE Dirham
About Republic of Seychelles:
Capital – Victoria
Currency – Seychellois Rupee
