<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-becomes-first-indian-prime-minister-to-visit-bahrain-245360">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Saturday addressed the Indian diaspora shortly after reaching Bahrain. He is the first Indian prime minister to visit the country.&nbsp;

"The welcome Bahrain has given me made me feel that I am in some part of India," the prime minister said. &nbsp;

"There is an old relationship between Gujarat and Bahrain.I'll be going to the temple and will pray for your well being. I will launch the redevelopment of the temple. This temple is a reflection of your faith and tribute to Bahrain's multiculturalism".

"India has decided to multiply the size of our economy by twice in the upcoming 5 years. 5 trillion dollars economy in the target in front of us," he said.&nbsp;

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PM Modi to Indian community in Bahrain: I will visit Shrinathji Temple tomorrow and will pray for peace &amp; prosperity in this country. It is also a matter of happiness that renovation of this temple will also officially begin tomorrow. <a href="https://t.co/UDFsf3oo1u">pic.twitter.com/UDFsf3oo1u</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1165291956244635648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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PM Modi said that it could too long for an Indian prime minister to visit Bahrain.&nbsp;

PM Modi said India is one of the most digitally connected countries and this has made banking available to many in India.&nbsp;"The cheapest mobile data in the world is available in India," the prime minister said.&nbsp;

He said, "BHIM app, UPI and Jan Dhan have made banking in reach of the common man".

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PM Narendra Modi addressing Indian community in Bahrain: I realise that it took quite a long time for an Indian Prime Minister to visit Bahrain. However, I have been fortunate enough to be the 1st Indian PM to visit Bahrain <a href="https://t.co/zvoLYq5oq6">pic.twitter.com/zvoLYq5oq6</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1165288413588623360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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He announced that RuPay card will soon be launched in Bahrain and an MoU was signed regarding this on Saturday. Soon will say, "Pay with RuPay to your friends in Bahrain", PM said.

There are around 350,000 Indian nationals living in the west Asian country. Bahrain launched ‘Little India in Bahrain’ project in November 2015 to acknowledge and mark the contribution of the Indian community to the history and progress of Bahrain.

The prime minister broke down during his address and remembered former finance minister Arun Jaitley who passed away on Saturday in New Delhi.&nbsp;

"Few days ago sister Sushma left us, today my friend Arun left me," he said.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bahrain on Saturday on the third leg of this three-nation tour, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country.

Modi was received by Prime Minister of Bahrain Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the airport.

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Addressing a huge community programme in Bahrain. Watch. <a href="https://t.co/w9V3steCGa">https://t.co/w9V3steCGa</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1165287377616531458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The prime minister is scheduled to hold a bilateral with Al Khalifa, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

PM Modi reached Bahrain after winding-up his UAE visit where he held delegation-level talks and received the UAE's highest civilian award, '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uae-honours-pm-modi-with-highest-civilian-award-order-of-zayed-245309">Order of Zayed</a>'.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the Indian diaspora shortly after reaching Bahrain. He is the first Indian prime minister to visit the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the Indian diaspora shortly after reaching Bahrain. He is the first Indian prime minister to visit the country. "The welcome Bahrain has given me made me feel that I am in some part of India," the prime minister said. "There is an old relationship between Gujarat and Bahrain.I'll be going to the temple and will pray for your well being. I will launch the redevelopment of the temple. This temple is a reflection of your faith and tribute to Bahrain's multiculturalism". "India has decided to multiply the size of our economy by twice in the upcoming 5 years. 5 trillion dollars economy in the target in front of us," he said. PM Modi to Indian community in Bahrain: I will visit Shrinathji Temple tomorrow and will pray for peace & prosperity in this country. It is also a matter of happiness that renovation of this temple will also officially begin tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/UDFsf3oo1u — ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019 × PM Modi said that it could too long for an Indian prime minister to visit Bahrain. PM Modi said India is one of the most digitally connected countries and this has made banking available to many in India. "The cheapest mobile data in the world is available in India," the prime minister said. He said, "BHIM app, UPI and Jan Dhan have made banking in reach of the common man". PM Narendra Modi addressing Indian community in Bahrain: I realise that it took quite a long time for an Indian Prime Minister to visit Bahrain. However, I have been fortunate enough to be the 1st Indian PM to visit Bahrain pic.twitter.com/zvoLYq5oq6 — ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2019 × He announced that RuPay card will soon be launched in Bahrain and an MoU was signed regarding this on Saturday. Soon will say, "Pay with RuPay to your friends in Bahrain", PM said. There are around 350,000 Indian nationals living in the west Asian country. Bahrain launched ‘Little India in Bahrain’ project in November 2015 to acknowledge and mark the contribution of the Indian community to the history and progress of Bahrain. The prime minister broke down during his address and remembered former finance minister Arun Jaitley who passed away on Saturday in New Delhi. "Few days ago sister Sushma left us, today my friend Arun left me," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bahrain on Saturday on the third leg of this three-nation tour, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country. Modi was received by Prime Minister of Bahrain Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the airport. Addressing a huge community programme in Bahrain. Watch. https://t.co/w9V3steCGa — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2019 × The prime minister is scheduled to hold a bilateral with Al Khalifa, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. PM Modi reached Bahrain after winding-up his UAE visit where he held delegation-level talks and received the UAE's highest civilian award, 'Order of Zayed'.

It took too long for an Indian PM to visit this country: PM Modi addresses Indian diaspora in Bahrain 

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/it-took-too-long-for-indian-pm-to-visit-this-country-pm-modi-addresses-indian-diaspora-in-bahrain-245375">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Saturday paid an emotional tribute to former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/leaders-politicians-arrive-at-jaitleys-residence-to-pay-tribute-last-rites-to-take-place-tomorrow-at-nigambodh-ghat-245311">union minister Arun Jaitley</a> at an Indian community event here stating that he had lost a friend with whom he was always connected in his political journey and with whom he had moved to realise dreams conjured together.

"I cannot imagine that I am here so far and my friend has gone," he said recalling his decades-old friendship with Jaitley. Towards the end of his address to the Indian community here, Modi told the gathering that he was in deeply pained over the demise of Jaitley earlier in the day.

Modi said these were difficult moments for him as he was bound by duty on one side and on the other side there were abiding memories of friendship.The Prime Minister said that Bahrain was filled with enthusiasm and India was celebrating the festival of Janmashtami but for him, there was a feeling of pain.

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My friend Arun Jaitley loved India, loved his party and loved being among people. 
 
It is upsetting and unbelievable that a person I have known since our youth is no longer in our midst. 
 
I pay my tributes to him. <a href="https://t.co/lFkCXxfxqS">pic.twitter.com/lFkCXxfxqS</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1165311968707825664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"At this moment, I am standing before you with deep pain in my heart. From student life, the friend with whom step after step of public life was taken, the political journey was undertaken... staying connected with each other at every moment, facing struggles together, dreaming together and working for realisation of dreams, such a long journey was done with that friend Arun Jaitley, India's former Defence Minister, Finance Minister, he passed away today. I cannot imagine that I am here so far and my friend has gone," Jaitley said.

He also remembered party leader and former union minister Sushma Swaraj who died on August 6.

"Some days back, our former external affairs minister sister Sushmaji passed away. Today my friend Arun has gone. I am facing difficult moments. One one side I am bound by duty and on the other, there are feelings of friendship. From Bahrain, I pay my tributes, bow to him, I pray that Almighty gives courage to his family members," Modi said.&nbsp; 
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid an emotional tribute to former union minister Arun Jaitley at an Indian community event here stating that he had lost a friend with whom he was always connected in his political journey and with whom he had moved to realise dreams conjured together.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid an emotional tribute to former union minister Arun Jaitley at an Indian community event here stating that he had lost a friend with whom he was always connected in his political journey and with whom he had moved to realise dreams conjured together. "I cannot imagine that I am here so far and my friend has gone," he said recalling his decades-old friendship with Jaitley. Towards the end of his address to the Indian community here, Modi told the gathering that he was in deeply pained over the demise of Jaitley earlier in the day. Modi said these were difficult moments for him as he was bound by duty on one side and on the other side there were abiding memories of friendship.The Prime Minister said that Bahrain was filled with enthusiasm and India was celebrating the festival of Janmashtami but for him, there was a feeling of pain. My friend Arun Jaitley loved India, loved his party and loved being among people. It is upsetting and unbelievable that a person I have known since our youth is no longer in our midst. I pay my tributes to him. pic.twitter.com/lFkCXxfxqS — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 24, 2019 × "At this moment, I am standing before you with deep pain in my heart. From student life, the friend with whom step after step of public life was taken, the political journey was undertaken... staying connected with each other at every moment, facing struggles together, dreaming together and working for realisation of dreams, such a long journey was done with that friend Arun Jaitley, India's former Defence Minister, Finance Minister, he passed away today. I cannot imagine that I am here so far and my friend has gone," Jaitley said. He also remembered party leader and former union minister Sushma Swaraj who died on August 6. "Some days back, our former external affairs minister sister Sushmaji passed away. Today my friend Arun has gone. I am facing difficult moments. One one side I am bound by duty and on the other, there are feelings of friendship. From Bahrain, I pay my tributes, bow to him, I pray that Almighty gives courage to his family members," Modi said.

I'm here so far and my friend has gone: PM Modi's emotional tribute to Jaitley in Bahrain

PM Modi greeted thousands of Indians in Bahrain, Modi chants ring out in Bahrain.

PM Modi in Bahrain; addresses Indian Community

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/it-took-too-long-for-indian-pm-to-visit-this-country-pm-modi-addresses-indian-diaspora-in-bahrain-245375">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Sunday will participate at a Janmashtami event at Gulf's oldest temple - Shreenathji (Shree Krishna) Hindu temple in Bahrain built by the&nbsp;Thattai Hindu community. The Thattai community had arrived from Sindh.&nbsp;

The prime minister will also launch the temple's renovation project. The 200-year-old Shree Krishna temple was built in 1817 and was situated in Bahrain's capital Manama.

PM Modi is currently in 2-nation visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain.

The Shreenathji temple was established by the Thattai [Bhatia] Hindu community in 1817 under the royal patronage and is also the first temple of the Gulf region.

The temple in Bahrain is located in the heart of Manama (Souq). In the honour of the contributions made by the Indian community, the Bahrain government designated the old Manama Souq area around the temple as 'Little India in Bahrain' in December 2015.&nbsp;

The temple is owned by the Thattai Hindu Mercantile Community from Thatta,&nbsp;Sindh -&nbsp;hence the&nbsp;name Thattai Bhatia.&nbsp;

Thattai Bhatias were one of the earliest expatriate communities to settle in Bahrain in the early 19th century and establish business interest in Bahrain. The community made Bahrain their home even before oil was discovered. Today, Thattais are renowned businessmen in Bahrain and own many companies.

The temple functions on the spiritual path of Pushti Marg or Vallabh Sampradaya which is a Vaishnav sect of Hinduism founded by Shree Vallabhacharya around 1500 AD. Shree Krishna is the chief deity in the temple. The main temple is in India, Nathdwara Temple in Udaipur, Rajasthan which was built in 1672 by Goswami priests who manage the temple and are revered by the followers of Pushti marg all over the world.

 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday will participate at a Janmashtami event at Gulf's oldest temple - Shreenathji (Shree Krishna) Hindu temple in Bahrain built by the Thattai Hindu community.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday will participate at a Janmashtami event at Gulf's oldest temple - Shreenathji (Shree Krishna) Hindu temple in Bahrain built by the Thattai Hindu community. The Thattai community had arrived from Sindh. The prime minister will also launch the temple's renovation project. The 200-year-old Shree Krishna temple was built in 1817 and was situated in Bahrain's capital Manama. PM Modi is currently in 2-nation visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. The Shreenathji temple was established by the Thattai [Bhatia] Hindu community in 1817 under the royal patronage and is also the first temple of the Gulf region. The temple in Bahrain is located in the heart of Manama (Souq). In the honour of the contributions made by the Indian community, the Bahrain government designated the old Manama Souq area around the temple as 'Little India in Bahrain' in December 2015. The temple is owned by the Thattai Hindu Mercantile Community from Thatta, Sindh - hence the name Thattai Bhatia. Thattai Bhatias were one of the earliest expatriate communities to settle in Bahrain in the early 19th century and establish business interest in Bahrain. The community made Bahrain their home even before oil was discovered. Today, Thattais are renowned businessmen in Bahrain and own many companies. The temple functions on the spiritual path of Pushti Marg or Vallabh Sampradaya which is a Vaishnav sect of Hinduism founded by Shree Vallabhacharya around 1500 AD. Shree Krishna is the chief deity in the temple. The main temple is in India, Nathdwara Temple in Udaipur, Rajasthan which was built in 1672 by Goswami priests who manage the temple and are revered by the followers of Pushti marg all over the world.

PM Modi to participate in Janmashtami event at Gulf's oldest temple on Sunday

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uae-honours-pm-modi-with-highest-civilian-award-order-of-zayed-245309">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> will continue with his ongoing foreign tour without any change in his plan after the sad demise of former finance minister Arun&nbsp;Jaitley.&nbsp;

PM Modi had tweeted out saying that had spoken to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/leaders-politicians-arrive-at-jaitleys-residence-to-pay-tribute-last-rites-to-take-place-tomorrow-at-nigambodh-ghat-245311">Arun&nbsp;Jaitley</a>'s family and expressed his condolences.The family had insisted that PM should not cut short his ongoing foreign tour.

Paying homage to&nbsp;Arun&nbsp;Jaitley&nbsp;PM Modi in a tweet had said, "Arun Jaitley Ji was a political giant, towering intellectual and legal luminary. He was an articulate leader who made a lasting contribution to India. His passing away is very saddening. Spoke to his wife Sangeeta Ji as well as son Rohan and expressed condolences. Om Shanti."

He said, "With the demise of Arun Jaitley Ji, I have lost a valued friend, whom I have had the honour of knowing for decades. His insight on issues and nuanced understanding of matters had very few parallels. He lived well, leaving us all with innumerable happy memories. We will miss him!"

PM is on a 3-nation tour of France, UAE and Bahrain. He has already visited UAE and France on a state visit and is currently in Bahrain. He will again go to France on Sunday to participate in the 45th G7 summit where India has been invited after 10 years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue with his ongoing foreign tour without any change in his plan after the sad demise of former finance minister Arun Jaitley.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue with his ongoing foreign tour without any change in his plan after the sad demise of former finance minister Arun Jaitley. PM Modi had tweeted out saying that had spoken to Arun Jaitley's family and expressed his condolences.The family had insisted that PM should not cut short his ongoing foreign tour. Paying homage to Arun Jaitley PM Modi in a tweet had said, "Arun Jaitley Ji was a political giant, towering intellectual and legal luminary. He was an articulate leader who made a lasting contribution to India. His passing away is very saddening. Spoke to his wife Sangeeta Ji as well as son Rohan and expressed condolences. Om Shanti." He said, "With the demise of Arun Jaitley Ji, I have lost a valued friend, whom I have had the honour of knowing for decades. His insight on issues and nuanced understanding of matters had very few parallels. He lived well, leaving us all with innumerable happy memories. We will miss him!" PM is on a 3-nation tour of France, UAE and Bahrain. He has already visited UAE and France on a state visit and is currently in Bahrain. He will again go to France on Sunday to participate in the 45th G7 summit where India has been invited after 10 years.

PM Modi to continue with his foreign visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bahrain on Saturday on the third leg of this three-nation tour, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country.

Modi was received by Prime Minister of Bahrain Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the airport here, External Affairs Minister Raveesh Kumar wrote on Twitter.

"Infusing new energy on the foundation of close civilizational linkages. PM @narendramodi arrives in #Manama, Bahrain. As a special gesture, received warmly by HH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the PM of #Bahrain. This is the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to Bahrain," Kumar wrote on Twitter.

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A ‘pearl’ in our extended neighborhood 
 
PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> extended a ceremonial welcome at Al Gudaibiya Palace in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Manama?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Manama</a> in the presence of Prime Minister HH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa. <a href="https://t.co/5Nwp7RZbzu">pic.twitter.com/5Nwp7RZbzu</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1165252417757351936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Modi is scheduled to hold a bilateral with Al Khalifa, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

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Infusing new energy on the foundation of close civilizational linkages. 
 
PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> arrives in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Manama?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Manama</a>, Bahrain. As a special gesture, received warmly by HH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the PM of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bahrain?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bahrain</a>. This is the first ever visit by an Indian PM to Bahrain. <a href="https://t.co/L5bsS0Wozi">pic.twitter.com/L5bsS0Wozi</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1165247622455726080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Later, the King of Bahrain, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, will be hosting a banquet dinner in honour of Modi.

The prime minister would also launch the renovation of Shreenathji (Shree Krishna) temple in Manama.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bahrain on Saturday on the third leg of this three-nation tour, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bahrain on Saturday on the third leg of this three-nation tour, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country. Modi was received by Prime Minister of Bahrain Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the airport here, External Affairs Minister Raveesh Kumar wrote on Twitter. "Infusing new energy on the foundation of close civilizational linkages. PM @narendramodi arrives in #Manama, Bahrain. As a special gesture, received warmly by HH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the PM of #Bahrain. This is the first-ever visit by an Indian PM to Bahrain," Kumar wrote on Twitter. A ‘pearl’ in our extended neighborhood PM @narendramodi extended a ceremonial welcome at Al Gudaibiya Palace in #Manama in the presence of Prime Minister HH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa. pic.twitter.com/5Nwp7RZbzu — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 24, 2019 × Modi is scheduled to hold a bilateral with Al Khalifa, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. Infusing new energy on the foundation of close civilizational linkages. PM @narendramodi arrives in #Manama, Bahrain. As a special gesture, received warmly by HH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the PM of #Bahrain. This is the first ever visit by an Indian PM to Bahrain. pic.twitter.com/L5bsS0Wozi — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 24, 2019 × Later, the King of Bahrain, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, will be hosting a banquet dinner in honour of Modi. The prime minister would also launch the renovation of Shreenathji (Shree Krishna) temple in Manama.

PM Modi becomes first Indian prime minister to visit Bahrain

Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for France as part of his tri-nation tour. He will hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron during his two-day state visit to France from August 22 with an aim to strengthen cooperation in the fields of defence, maritime security, counter-terrorism, and civil nuclear energy along with robust trade and investment relations. From France, the prime minister will leave for a bilateral visit to UAE and Bahrain and will return to Biarritz city in France to attend the G7 summit.

PM Modi leaves for France as part of tri-nation tour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron during his two-day state visit to France from August 22 with an aim to strengthen cooperation in the fields of defence, maritime security, counter-terrorism, and civil nuclear energy along with robust trade and investment relations. From France, the prime minister will leave for a bilateral visit to UAE and Bahrain and will return to Biarritz city in France to attend the G7 summit.

PM Modi to embark on tri-nation tour to France, UAE & Bahrain

The Ministry of External Affairs has announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting West Asian countries the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain from August 23 to 25.

The Ministry of External Affairs has announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting West Asian countries the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain from August 23 to 25. The prime minister will be visiting the UAE on August 23 and will be meeting Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He will also be conferred the Zayed Medal, UAE's highest civilian award. In April this year, UAE announced that it will be honouring PM Modi with its highest civilian award. In a tweet in April, the crown prince said that PM Modi has been conferred the award for boosting India UAE ties. He tweeted, “We have historical and comprehensive strategic ties with India, reinforced by the pivotal role of my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave these relations a big boost. In appreciation of his efforts, the UAE President grants him the Zayed Medal.” Address to Indian Community in Bahrain by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the forthcoming visit. For participation register at https://t.co/M1lFyQLVAJ — India in Bahrain (@IndiaInBahrain) August 17, 2019 × PM Modi's second stop will be Bahrain from August 24 where he will be holding talks with Prime Minister of Bahrain Prince Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and call on King of Bahrain Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Later he will address members of the Indian community, something that has become a permanent focus of his foreign visits. There are 350,000 Indian nationals living in the West Asian country. Bahrain launched ‘Little India in Bahrain’ project in November 2015 to acknowledge and mark the contribution of the Indian community to the history and progress of Bahrain. We have historical and comprehensive strategic ties with India, reinforced by the pivotal role of my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who gave these relations a big boost. In appreciation of his efforts, the UAE President grants him the Zayed Medal. — محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) April 4, 2019 × The visit will be part of his visit to France where he has been invited as a special guest for the G7. The 45th G7 summit will take place from August 24 to 26, 2019, in Biarritz, France. India–United Arab Emirates relations United Arab Emirates was one of the first OIC or Organisation of Islamic Cooperation countries to welcome the Indian government's decision to remove the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The UAE envoy to India Dr Ahmad Al Banna while taking note of the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir and removal of Article 370 called it internal matter of India said "We expect that the changes would improve social justice and security and confidence of the people in the local governance and will encourage further stability and peace". Recent years have seen India and UAE coming closers and an increase in a number of high-level visits between the 2 countries. Indian PM Modi first visited the country in August of 2015 which was followed by the visit of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2016. The following year the Crown Prince was the chief guest at India's republic day parade and again in 2018 PM Modi visited the country and was the chief guest at the sixth World Government Summit in Dubai. With Bahrain, the focus is on increasing bilateral ties, especially economics and trade. There are 23 branches of prominent Indian banks/companies registered in Bahrain and India’s total capital investment into Bahrain between January 2003 & March 2018 has been estimated at approximately US$ 1.69 billion.

PM Modi to visit Bahrain and UAE from August 23 to 25

UAE will confer PM Modi with its highest civilian award. PM Modi to embark on West-Asia tour, will visit Bahrain & UAE next week. This will be his first visit to Bahrain. Watch this video to know more.

UAE will confer PM Modi with its highest civilian award

PM Modi to embark on West-Asia tour, will visit Bahrain & UAE next week. This will be his first visit to Bahrain. Watch this video to know more.

PM Modi to embark on West-Asia tour, will visit Bahrain & UAE next week

Bahrain authorities have taken legal action against a group of Pakistani nationals who held an anti-India rally after Eid al-Adha prayers on Sunday.

The protest was allegedly carried out over the Indian government's decision to scrap Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a tweet, the Bahrain interior ministry said, "legal proceedings were taken against some Asians for gathering in a way that violated the law after Eid prayer."

Adding, "It urges citizens and residents to not politically exploit religious occasions."

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Capital Police: legal proceedings were taken against some Asians for gathering in a way that violated the law after Eid prayer. The case referred to the Public Prosecution. It urges citizens and residents to not politically exploit religious occasions.
— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) <a href="https://twitter.com/moi_bahrain/status/1160848601008017408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The case has been referred to the Public Prosecution. The rally by Pakistanis was in the backdrop of the Indian government's decision to remove the special status for Jammu and Kashmir last week.

Bahrain authorities have taken legal action against a group of Pakistani nationals who held an anti-India rally after Eid al-Adha prayers on Sunday. The protest was allegedly carried out over the Indian government's decision to scrap Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Bahrain authorities have taken legal action against a group of Pakistani nationals who held an anti-India rally after Eid al-Adha prayers on Sunday. The protest was allegedly carried out over the Indian government's decision to scrap Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. In a tweet, the Bahrain interior ministry said, "legal proceedings were taken against some Asians for gathering in a way that violated the law after Eid prayer." Adding, "It urges citizens and residents to not politically exploit religious occasions." Capital Police: legal proceedings were taken against some Asians for gathering in a way that violated the law after Eid prayer. The case referred to the Public Prosecution. It urges citizens and residents to not politically exploit religious occasions. — Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) August 12, 2019 × The case has been referred to the Public Prosecution. The rally by Pakistanis was in the backdrop of the Indian government's decision to remove the special status for Jammu and Kashmir last week.

Bahrain takes legal action against Pakistanis who held anti-India rally after Eid prayers

Bahrain executed two Shiite citizens on terror charges on Saturday, officials said, despite appeals for clemency from international human rights groups.

The pair, identified by rights groups as Ali al-Arab, 25, and Ahmad al-Malali, 24, was put to death by firing squad, the prosecutor said.

Both defendants were Shiite, judicial sources said, without confirming their names.

The small Gulf state, a key US ally located between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been gripped by bouts of unrest since 2011 when authorities cracked down on Shiite-led protests demanding political reform.

The two men, arrested separately in February 2017, were both sentenced to death in January last year after a mass trial with 58 other defendants that was marred by allegations of torture.

The pair were convicted of "forming a terror group" which went on to carry out a series of armed attacks in the kingdom.

They included the storming of the kingdom's Jaw prison in January 2017 that killed a guard and led to the escape of 10 detainees, the prosecutor said.

That attack was followed by two separate fatal attacks on police officers later the same month, the prosecutor added.

The convicts were put to death along with a third death row prisoner found guilty of murder.

Their families had been called to the prison on Friday for a final visit, Human Rights Watch said.

In an 11th hour appeal for clemency, HRW's acting Middle East director Lama Fakih warned that King Hamad was committing a "grave injustice by ratifying the death sentences of the two men despite the allegations of torture and other serious due process concerns".

Ruled for more than two centuries by the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty, Bahrain is mostly Shiite Muslim, according to unofficial estimates contested by the government.

Hundreds of protesters have been jailed since 2011, with Bahrain claiming Iran trained and backed demonstrators in order to topple the Manama government -- an accusation Tehran denies.

All opposition groups have been outlawed and disbanded.

Bahrain executed two Shiite citizens on terror charges on Saturday, officials said, despite appeals for clemency from international human rights groups. The pair, identified by rights groups as Ali al-Arab, 25, and Ahmad al-Malali, 24, was put to death by firing squad, the prosecutor said.

Bahrain executed two Shiite citizens on terror charges on Saturday, officials said, despite appeals for clemency from international human rights groups. The pair, identified by rights groups as Ali al-Arab, 25, and Ahmad al-Malali, 24, was put to death by firing squad, the prosecutor said. Both defendants were Shiite, judicial sources said, without confirming their names. The small Gulf state, a key US ally located between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been gripped by bouts of unrest since 2011 when authorities cracked down on Shiite-led protests demanding political reform. The two men, arrested separately in February 2017, were both sentenced to death in January last year after a mass trial with 58 other defendants that was marred by allegations of torture. The pair were convicted of "forming a terror group" which went on to carry out a series of armed attacks in the kingdom. They included the storming of the kingdom's Jaw prison in January 2017 that killed a guard and led to the escape of 10 detainees, the prosecutor said. That attack was followed by two separate fatal attacks on police officers later the same month, the prosecutor added. The convicts were put to death along with a third death row prisoner found guilty of murder. Their families had been called to the prison on Friday for a final visit, Human Rights Watch said. In an 11th hour appeal for clemency, HRW's acting Middle East director Lama Fakih warned that King Hamad was committing a "grave injustice by ratifying the death sentences of the two men despite the allegations of torture and other serious due process concerns". Ruled for more than two centuries by the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty, Bahrain is mostly Shiite Muslim, according to unofficial estimates contested by the government. Hundreds of protesters have been jailed since 2011, with Bahrain claiming Iran trained and backed demonstrators in order to topple the Manama government -- an accusation Tehran denies. All opposition groups have been outlawed and disbanded.

Bahrain executes two Shiites on terror charges

More than 200 demonstrators broke into the courtyard of Bahrain's Embassy in Baghdad and took down the kingdom's flag on Thursday night to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kushners-economic-plan-for-mideast-peace-faces-broad-arab-rejection-229659">protest</a> a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-bahrain-united-states-to-launch-economic-part-of-mideast-peace-plan-amid-skepticism-230273">US-led meeting </a>in Bahrain on Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Police used live rounds to disperse the crowd, police sources told Reuters, with no injuries reported.

"We used our vehicle loudspeakers to encourage protesters to leave the compound," a police officer stationed near the embassy said. "After they refused, police had to fire into the air."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-economy-first-approach-to-mideast-peace-built-on-big-money-projects-229587">Kushner unveils economic portion of Middle East peace plan</a>

One protester, who identified himself as a member of the Islamic Resistance Groups, a term usually used by Iranian-backed Shiite militias, said they wanted to send a strong statement.&nbsp;

"We took down the Bahraini flag to send a clear message to all those who participated in the Bahrain conference, that we strongly reject normalising relations with the Zionist occupiers and will never abandon our support of Palestinians," said the protester, who identified himself as Abu Murtadha al-Moussawi. "We are ready to fight for this."

Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Iraq for consultations on Thursday after the protests.&nbsp;

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain condemns the attack on the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Republic of Iraq by the demonstrators (which) led to sabotage in the embassy building," a statement on the ministry`s website said.

The kingdom also summoned the charge d’affaires of the Embassy of Iraq in Manama on Friday to protest the "sabotage" of the embassy`s building in Baghdad, a second statement from the Bahraini foreign ministry said.&nbsp;

"The foreign ministry welcomes the two statements from the Iraqi government... and insists on the importance of holding the perpetrators accountable," the statement added.

Iraq condemned the protesters, and expressed "its deep regret" over the security breach at the embassy.

"The government of Iraq affirms its absolute rejection of any acts which threaten diplomatic missions, their safety and the security of their personnel," said in a statement.

The two-day conference in Manama was aimed at rallying support for a $50 billion investment plan in the Palestinian Territories as the first part of a broader White House political plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The plan has met broad disdain from Palestinians and others in the Arab world although regional US&nbsp;allies such as Saudi Arabia discreetly support it. Neither the Israeli nor Palestinian governments attended the meeting.

More than 200 demonstrators broke into the courtyard of Bahrain's Embassy in Baghdad and took down the kingdom's flag on Thursday night to protest a US-led meeting in Bahrain on Israeli-Palestinian peace.

More than 200 demonstrators broke into the courtyard of Bahrain's Embassy in Baghdad and took down the kingdom's flag on Thursday night to protest a US-led meeting in Bahrain on Israeli-Palestinian peace. Police used live rounds to disperse the crowd, police sources told Reuters, with no injuries reported. "We used our vehicle loudspeakers to encourage protesters to leave the compound," a police officer stationed near the embassy said. "After they refused, police had to fire into the air." Also read: Kushner unveils economic portion of Middle East peace plan One protester, who identified himself as a member of the Islamic Resistance Groups, a term usually used by Iranian-backed Shiite militias, said they wanted to send a strong statement. "We took down the Bahraini flag to send a clear message to all those who participated in the Bahrain conference, that we strongly reject normalising relations with the Zionist occupiers and will never abandon our support of Palestinians," said the protester, who identified himself as Abu Murtadha al-Moussawi. "We are ready to fight for this." Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Iraq for consultations on Thursday after the protests. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain condemns the attack on the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Republic of Iraq by the demonstrators (which) led to sabotage in the embassy building," a statement on the ministry`s website said. The kingdom also summoned the charge d’affaires of the Embassy of Iraq in Manama on Friday to protest the "sabotage" of the embassy`s building in Baghdad, a second statement from the Bahraini foreign ministry said. "The foreign ministry welcomes the two statements from the Iraqi government... and insists on the importance of holding the perpetrators accountable," the statement added. Iraq condemned the protesters, and expressed "its deep regret" over the security breach at the embassy. "The government of Iraq affirms its absolute rejection of any acts which threaten diplomatic missions, their safety and the security of their personnel," said in a statement. The two-day conference in Manama was aimed at rallying support for a $50 billion investment plan in the Palestinian Territories as the first part of a broader White House political plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The plan has met broad disdain from Palestinians and others in the Arab world although regional US allies such as Saudi Arabia discreetly support it. Neither the Israeli nor Palestinian governments attended the meeting.

Baghdad protesters take down Bahrain flag over Trump peace conference

A refugee footballer who was detained in Thailand and threatened with extradition to Bahrain said he "feels great" after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exit-polls-tip-labor-to-win-australia-election-219626">voting in Australia's election</a> Saturday.

Hakeem al-Araibi, who became an Australian at a ceremony in Melbourne in March, shot to international fame when he was arrested during his honeymoon last year for alleged offences in Bahrain linked to the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.

Amid a worldwide outcry, Al-Araibi -- who was granted refugee status and residency in Australia in 2017 after fleeing Bahrain -- was eventually allowed to return to Melbourne, where he plays semi-professional football.

Al-Araibi posted photos on Twitter and Instagram showing him at a polling station as he made a "V for victory" sign with his left hand, while wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, a backwards baseball bat and sunglasses.

"Today I voted for the first time in my life, it feels great to be able to vote in Australia. I wish the best for Australia," he wrote on Twitter.

More than 16 million Australians, a record number, have enrolled to vote in this election.

A refugee footballer who was detained in Thailand and threatened with extradition to Bahrain said he "feels great" after voting in Australia's election Saturday.

A refugee footballer who was detained in Thailand and threatened with extradition to Bahrain said he "feels great" after voting in Australia's election Saturday. Hakeem al-Araibi, who became an Australian at a ceremony in Melbourne in March, shot to international fame when he was arrested during his honeymoon last year for alleged offences in Bahrain linked to the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. Amid a worldwide outcry, Al-Araibi -- who was granted refugee status and residency in Australia in 2017 after fleeing Bahrain -- was eventually allowed to return to Melbourne, where he plays semi-professional football. Al-Araibi posted photos on Twitter and Instagram showing him at a polling station as he made a "V for victory" sign with his left hand, while wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, a backwards baseball bat and sunglasses. "Today I voted for the first time in my life, it feels great to be able to vote in Australia. I wish the best for Australia," he wrote on Twitter. More than 16 million Australians, a record number, have enrolled to vote in this election.

Footballer Hakeem al-Araibi votes after getting Australian citizenship

Bahrain's king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, reinstated nationality to 551 people stripped of their citizenship by courts in the Gulf Arab state, state news agency BNA said on Sunday.

Since a 2011 uprising, Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, has prosecuted hundreds of protesters in mass trials, banned the main opposition groups and revoked citizenship from hundreds of nationals.

Most of the leading opposition figures and rights activists are imprisoned or have fled abroad.

The Britain-based activist group the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy has said Bahrain has stripped a total of 990 people of their citizenship since 2012.

A Bahraini court on Tuesday stripped 138 people of their nationality in connection with terrorism charges, in a move criticised by the United Nations.

The BNA statement did not specify which 551 people had their citizenship restored, or which trials they were involved in.

Bahrain's king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, reinstated nationality to 551 people stripped of their citizenship by courts in the Gulf Arab state, state news agency BNA said on Sunday.

Bahrain's king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, reinstated nationality to 551 people stripped of their citizenship by courts in the Gulf Arab state, state news agency BNA said on Sunday. Since a 2011 uprising, Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, has prosecuted hundreds of protesters in mass trials, banned the main opposition groups and revoked citizenship from hundreds of nationals. Most of the leading opposition figures and rights activists are imprisoned or have fled abroad. The Britain-based activist group the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy has said Bahrain has stripped a total of 990 people of their citizenship since 2012. A Bahraini court on Tuesday stripped 138 people of their nationality in connection with terrorism charges, in a move criticised by the United Nations. The BNA statement did not specify which 551 people had their citizenship restored, or which trials they were involved in.

Bahrain king reinstates nationality to 551 citizens tried in courts

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-vetoes-resolution-calling-to-end-us-support-in-yemen-war-211018">President Trump vetoes resolution calling to end US support in Yemen war</a>

President Donald Trump has vetoed a congressional resolution that sought to end US involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, the White House said on Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-worlds-biggest-one-day-election-indonesia-votes-for-its-president-211029">In world's biggest one-day election, Indonesia votes for its president</a>

Indonesians began voting in the&nbsp;world's biggest single-day election&nbsp;on Wednesday as polling stations opened across the sprawling equatorial archipelago following a six-month campaign to choose a new president and parliament.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/only-strong-can-talk-about-peace-nobody-listens-to-a-weak-nation-pm-modi-in-odisha-211021">Only strong can talk about peace, nobody listens to a weak nation: PM Modi in Odisha</a>

Prime Minister&nbsp;Narendra Modi&nbsp;Tuesday slammed the Congress for being "soft" towards terrorism for 40 years and said India can now talk about peace after it exhibited the strength by destroying terror camps across the border.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bahrain-jails-138-for-planning-iran-linked-terror-group-211019">Bahrain jails 138 for planning Iran-linked 'terror' group</a>

The Gulf state of Bahrain Tuesday jailed 138 people and revoked their citizenship for plotting to form a "terror" group with links to&nbsp;Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the public prosecutor said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-737-max-software-upgrade-operationally-suitable-faa-panel-211034">Boeing 737 MAX software upgrade 'operationally suitable': FAA panel</a>

A review by a&nbsp;US&nbsp;Federal Aviation Administration panel into Boeing Co's grounded 737 MAX aircraft found a planned software update and training revisions to be "operationally suitable," the agency said Tuesday, an important milestone in getting the planes back in the air.

President Trump vetoes resolution calling to end US support in Yemen war President Donald Trump has vetoed a congressional resolution that sought to end US involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, the White House said on Tuesday.

President Trump vetoes resolution calling to end US support in Yemen war President Donald Trump has vetoed a congressional resolution that sought to end US involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, the White House said on Tuesday. In world's biggest one-day election, Indonesia votes for its president Indonesians began voting in the world's biggest single-day election on Wednesday as polling stations opened across the sprawling equatorial archipelago following a six-month campaign to choose a new president and parliament. Only strong can talk about peace, nobody listens to a weak nation: PM Modi in Odisha Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday slammed the Congress for being "soft" towards terrorism for 40 years and said India can now talk about peace after it exhibited the strength by destroying terror camps across the border. Bahrain jails 138 for planning Iran-linked 'terror' group The Gulf state of Bahrain Tuesday jailed 138 people and revoked their citizenship for plotting to form a "terror" group with links to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the public prosecutor said. Boeing 737 MAX software upgrade 'operationally suitable': FAA panel A review by a US Federal Aviation Administration panel into Boeing Co's grounded 737 MAX aircraft found a planned software update and training revisions to be "operationally suitable," the agency said Tuesday, an important milestone in getting the planes back in the air.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The Gulf state of Bahrain Tuesday jailed 138 people and revoked their citizenship for plotting to form a "terror" group with links to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-unprecedented-dangerous-move-will-have-consequences-iran-slams-us-step-against-revolutionary-guards-urges-countries-to-take-position-210284"> Iran's Revolutionary Guards</a>, the public prosecutor said.

The verdict was swiftly condemned by the Bahraini opposition, while human rights group Amnesty International decried the "mockery of justice" and "mass arbitrary denaturalisation".

The court, whose rulings can be appealed, handed the men prison terms of three years to life for having tried to build a Bahrain Hezbollah, similar to the Shiite militia active in Lebanon, said prosecutor Ahmad al-Hammadi.

Some members had received military training in Lebanon, Iran and Iraq, he said in a statement.

Another man was also jailed but his citizenship was not revoked, while 30 others were acquitted, said the statement posted on the prosecution Instagram account.

A judicial source said all the convicts are members of the Shiite community in the Sunni-ruled Gulf state.

The source also said that 111 were already in custody while 58 were sentenced in absentia.

Amnesty International described the sentences as "outrageous" and a sign of Bahrain's authorities' disregard for international judicial standards.

The trial "demonstrates how Bahrain's authorities are increasingly relying on revocation of nationality as a tool for repression," said Lynn Maalouf, Middle East research director at Amnesty.

Bouts of unrest

Ruled for more than two centuries by the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty, Bahrain has a majority Shiite Muslim population, according to unofficial estimates contested by the government.

The small Gulf state, a key US ally located between rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been gripped by bouts of unrest since 2011, when authorities cracked down on Shiite-led protests demanding political reform.

Since then, hundreds of protesters have been jailed or stripped of their nationality, with Bahrain claiming Iran trained and backed demonstrators in order to topple the Manama government -- an accusation Tehran denies.

All opposition groups have been banned and disbanded.

The king last year signed off on a decree granting military courts the right to try civilians accused of "terrorism".

In June, Bahrain amended its law on political rights, prohibiting leaders and members of dissolved political associations from running in legislative elections.

'Terrorism' trials

In Tuesday's court ruling, the prosecutor said 69 defendants were sentenced to life in jail, 39 to 10 years, 23 to seven years and the rest to between three and five years imprisonment.

Ninety-six of the defendants were also fined 100,000 Bahraini dinars ($265,000) each.

The opposition Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) said the mass sentencing was "the largest single incident" since the Bahraini government began revoking nationalities of opponents in 2012.

Since then, Manama had stripped the nationalities of 990 people, including 180 this year, the institute said.

"BIRD condemns the outcome of this deeply unfair trial in the strongest possible terms and urges the authorities to quash the sentences and restore the citizenships," the group said in a statement.

"This is not the first incident where the Bahrain judiciary has held a mass trial to convict individuals on terrorism-related offences," it said.

In May 2018, 115 individuals were sentenced to prison and their citizenships were revoked, it said.

In other recent high-profile trials, Bahrain's prominent rights defender Nabeel Rajab in December lost his final appeal against a five-year jail term for writing tweets deemed offensive to the state.

In January, Bahrain's supreme court upheld a life term against Sheikh Ali Salman, the head of the main Shiite opposition group Al-Wefaq, for allegedly spying for rival Qatar.

The Gulf state of Bahrain Tuesday jailed 138 people and revoked their citizenship for plotting to form a "terror" group with links to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the public prosecutor said.

The Gulf state of Bahrain Tuesday jailed 138 people and revoked their citizenship for plotting to form a "terror" group with links to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the public prosecutor said. The verdict was swiftly condemned by the Bahraini opposition, while human rights group Amnesty International decried the "mockery of justice" and "mass arbitrary denaturalisation". The court, whose rulings can be appealed, handed the men prison terms of three years to life for having tried to build a Bahrain Hezbollah, similar to the Shiite militia active in Lebanon, said prosecutor Ahmad al-Hammadi. Some members had received military training in Lebanon, Iran and Iraq, he said in a statement. Another man was also jailed but his citizenship was not revoked, while 30 others were acquitted, said the statement posted on the prosecution Instagram account. A judicial source said all the convicts are members of the Shiite community in the Sunni-ruled Gulf state. The source also said that 111 were already in custody while 58 were sentenced in absentia. Amnesty International described the sentences as "outrageous" and a sign of Bahrain's authorities' disregard for international judicial standards. The trial "demonstrates how Bahrain's authorities are increasingly relying on revocation of nationality as a tool for repression," said Lynn Maalouf, Middle East research director at Amnesty. Bouts of unrest Ruled for more than two centuries by the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty, Bahrain has a majority Shiite Muslim population, according to unofficial estimates contested by the government. The small Gulf state, a key US ally located between rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been gripped by bouts of unrest since 2011, when authorities cracked down on Shiite-led protests demanding political reform. Since then, hundreds of protesters have been jailed or stripped of their nationality, with Bahrain claiming Iran trained and backed demonstrators in order to topple the Manama government -- an accusation Tehran denies. All opposition groups have been banned and disbanded. The king last year signed off on a decree granting military courts the right to try civilians accused of "terrorism". In June, Bahrain amended its law on political rights, prohibiting leaders and members of dissolved political associations from running in legislative elections. 'Terrorism' trials In Tuesday's court ruling, the prosecutor said 69 defendants were sentenced to life in jail, 39 to 10 years, 23 to seven years and the rest to between three and five years imprisonment. Ninety-six of the defendants were also fined 100,000 Bahraini dinars ($265,000) each. The opposition Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) said the mass sentencing was "the largest single incident" since the Bahraini government began revoking nationalities of opponents in 2012. Since then, Manama had stripped the nationalities of 990 people, including 180 this year, the institute said. "BIRD condemns the outcome of this deeply unfair trial in the strongest possible terms and urges the authorities to quash the sentences and restore the citizenships," the group said in a statement. "This is not the first incident where the Bahrain judiciary has held a mass trial to convict individuals on terrorism-related offences," it said. In May 2018, 115 individuals were sentenced to prison and their citizenships were revoked, it said. In other recent high-profile trials, Bahrain's prominent rights defender Nabeel Rajab in December lost his final appeal against a five-year jail term for writing tweets deemed offensive to the state. In January, Bahrain's supreme court upheld a life term against Sheikh Ali Salman, the head of the main Shiite opposition group Al-Wefaq, for allegedly spying for rival Qatar.

Bahrain jails 138 for planning Iran-linked 'terror' group

Charles Leclerc missed out on his first Formula One victory in Bahrain last weekend because of an unprecedented short-circuit in an injection system control unit, his Ferrari team said on Friday.

The 21-year-old Monegasque driver will be able to use the same power unit in China next week, round three of the championship.

Leclerc finished third at Sakhir after his car lost power with some 10 laps to go while he was leading the race comfortably.

Race winner Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas both overtook the youngster before the chequered flag, with the Leclerc salvaging a podium place thanks to the safety car being deployed for the last three laps.

Ferrari said the problem had never been seen before on that particular component.

Leclerc had also started on pole position for the first time in his Formula One career, and in only his second race with Ferrari.

Shanghai will be the 1,000th Formula One championship grand prix and Ferrari will be favourites to win despite champions Mercedes finishing one-two against the odds in the first two races of the season.

Charles Leclerc missed out on his first Formula One victory in Bahrain last weekend because of an unprecedented short-circuit in an injection system control unit, his Ferrari team said on Friday.

Charles Leclerc missed out on his first Formula One victory in Bahrain last weekend because of an unprecedented short-circuit in an injection system control unit, his Ferrari team said on Friday. The 21-year-old Monegasque driver will be able to use the same power unit in China next week, round three of the championship. Leclerc finished third at Sakhir after his car lost power with some 10 laps to go while he was leading the race comfortably. Race winner Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas both overtook the youngster before the chequered flag, with the Leclerc salvaging a podium place thanks to the safety car being deployed for the last three laps. Ferrari said the problem had never been seen before on that particular component. Leclerc had also started on pole position for the first time in his Formula One career, and in only his second race with Ferrari. Shanghai will be the 1,000th Formula One championship grand prix and Ferrari will be favourites to win despite champions Mercedes finishing one-two against the odds in the first two races of the season.

Unprecedented short-circuit cost Charles Leclerc victory in Bahrain

Michael Schumacher's son Mick finished in the points on his Formula Two debut in Bahrain on Saturday, with eighth place in the feature race ensuring he will start Sunday's sprint from pole position.

The German, driving for the Prema team and a member of the Ferrari academy, had qualified 10th at Sakhir circuit for the season-opener.

The race was won by Canadian Nicholas Latifi, the Williams Formula One reserve competing for the DAMS team, ahead of Italian pole-sitter Luca Ghiotto and Brazilian Sergio Sette Camara.

Colombian Tatiana Calderon finished 13th out of 20 after starting 19th on her F2 debut for BWT Arden.

'Schumacher is due to test with Ferrari, the team for whom his seven-times Formula One world champion father won five of his titles, and Alfa Romeo in Bahrain next week.

Michael Schumacher's son Mick finished in the points on his Formula Two debut in Bahrain on Saturday, with eighth place in the feature race ensuring he will start Sunday's sprint from pole position.

Michael Schumacher's son Mick finished in the points on his Formula Two debut in Bahrain on Saturday, with eighth place in the feature race ensuring he will start Sunday's sprint from pole position. The German, driving for the Prema team and a member of the Ferrari academy, had qualified 10th at Sakhir circuit for the season-opener. The race was won by Canadian Nicholas Latifi, the Williams Formula One reserve competing for the DAMS team, ahead of Italian pole-sitter Luca Ghiotto and Brazilian Sergio Sette Camara. Colombian Tatiana Calderon finished 13th out of 20 after starting 19th on her F2 debut for BWT Arden. 'Schumacher is due to test with Ferrari, the team for whom his seven-times Formula One world champion father won five of his titles, and Alfa Romeo in Bahrain next week.

Motor racing: Mick Schumacher eighth on F2 debut in Bahrain

Sebastian Vettel will be aiming for his third successive Bahrain Grand Prix win on Sunday as Ferrari seek to show their lack of pace in Formula One’s Australian season opener was a one-off.

Tipped as pre-season favourites, the German and new team mate Charles Leclerc finished fourth and fifth in Melbourne, nearly a minute behind the dominant race-winning Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas.

Albert Park can be seen as something of an outlier but Ferrari hope the more traditional layout of Bahrain’s 5.4-km Sakhir desert track will allow them to unlock the full potential of the SF90 car.

The most successful team in Bahrain, with six wins overall, can draw encouragement from last year when Mercedes were faster in Australia only for Ferrari to turn the tables with a front-row lockout and victory for Vettel.

That also started a streak of three straight pole positions for the German.

"In Bahrain, we expect to see the effect of the corrections we have made ...," said principal Mattia Binotto, who replaced Maurizio Arrivabene at the helm before the start of the season.

"We are well aware that our competitors will once again be very strong. With that in mind, we are keen to get back on track and face up to them."

Bottas, having driven what he described as the race of his life in Australia to finish more than 20 seconds ahead of team mate Lewis Hamilton in second place, will be keen to serve up a thriller under the floodlights.

Having come within a second of snatching victory from Vettel last year, Bottas has some unfinished business on Sunday while Hamilton, who has taken two of Mercedes’ three wins in Bahrain, will be keen to reassert his supremacy.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said nothing was won or lost at Albert Park.

"Whatever the Melbourne result says, our mindset hasn't changed since then," he said.

"We've seen the potential of Ferrari's package in Barcelona (testing), so we expect them to come back strong in Bahrain, with Red Bull in the mix as well."

Max Verstappen finished third for Red Bull in Australia, the Milton Keynes-based team’s first race with new engine partners Honda.

Frenchman Pierre Gasly, now driving alongside Verstappen, finished fourth for Honda-powered Toro Rosso in Bahrain last year and will be hoping to do even better on Sunday.

McLaren, which counts Bahrain’s Mumtalakat Holding Company among its major shareholders, will be looking for their first points after Lando Norris finished 12th and Carlos Sainz retired in Australia.

Bahrain will also mark the start of the Formula Two Championship with Mick Schumacher, son of seven-times Formula One champion Michael and nephew of Ralf, making his debut in the support category.

Schumacher, a part of Ferrari’s young driver academy, is also scheduled to take part in a post-race test with Ferrari and Alfa Romeo.

Sebastian Vettel will be aiming for his third successive Bahrain Grand Prix win on Sunday as Ferrari seek to show their lack of pace in Formula One’s Australian season opener was a one-off.

Sebastian Vettel will be aiming for his third successive Bahrain Grand Prix win on Sunday as Ferrari seek to show their lack of pace in Formula One’s Australian season opener was a one-off. Tipped as pre-season favourites, the German and new team mate Charles Leclerc finished fourth and fifth in Melbourne, nearly a minute behind the dominant race-winning Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas. Albert Park can be seen as something of an outlier but Ferrari hope the more traditional layout of Bahrain’s 5.4-km Sakhir desert track will allow them to unlock the full potential of the SF90 car. The most successful team in Bahrain, with six wins overall, can draw encouragement from last year when Mercedes were faster in Australia only for Ferrari to turn the tables with a front-row lockout and victory for Vettel. That also started a streak of three straight pole positions for the German. "In Bahrain, we expect to see the effect of the corrections we have made ...," said principal Mattia Binotto, who replaced Maurizio Arrivabene at the helm before the start of the season. "We are well aware that our competitors will once again be very strong. With that in mind, we are keen to get back on track and face up to them." Bottas, having driven what he described as the race of his life in Australia to finish more than 20 seconds ahead of team mate Lewis Hamilton in second place, will be keen to serve up a thriller under the floodlights. Having come within a second of snatching victory from Vettel last year, Bottas has some unfinished business on Sunday while Hamilton, who has taken two of Mercedes’ three wins in Bahrain, will be keen to reassert his supremacy. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said nothing was won or lost at Albert Park. "Whatever the Melbourne result says, our mindset hasn't changed since then," he said. "We've seen the potential of Ferrari's package in Barcelona (testing), so we expect them to come back strong in Bahrain, with Red Bull in the mix as well." Max Verstappen finished third for Red Bull in Australia, the Milton Keynes-based team’s first race with new engine partners Honda. Frenchman Pierre Gasly, now driving alongside Verstappen, finished fourth for Honda-powered Toro Rosso in Bahrain last year and will be hoping to do even better on Sunday. McLaren, which counts Bahrain’s Mumtalakat Holding Company among its major shareholders, will be looking for their first points after Lando Norris finished 12th and Carlos Sainz retired in Australia. Bahrain will also mark the start of the Formula Two Championship with Mick Schumacher, son of seven-times Formula One champion Michael and nephew of Ralf, making his debut in the support category. Schumacher, a part of Ferrari’s young driver academy, is also scheduled to take part in a post-race test with Ferrari and Alfa Romeo.

Sebastian Vettel seeks Ferrari boost in Bahrain

A refugee footballer who was detained in Thailand and threatened with extradition to Bahrain said he feels sure "no one can follow me now," after becoming an Australian citizen on Tuesday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/my-country-is-australia-bahraini-footballer-hakeem-al-araibi-thanks-supporters-197007">Hakeem al-Araibi</a>, who was granted refugee status and residency in Australia in 2017 after fleeing Bahrain, became an Australian at a ceremony in Melbourne.&nbsp;

The 25-year-old shot to international fame when he was arrested while on honeymoon in Thailand last year.&nbsp;

He was wanted by Bahrain on offences linked to the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.&nbsp;

Amid a worldwide outcry, he was eventually allowed back to Melbourne, where he plays semi-professional football.&nbsp;

Spotting a big smile on his face and a salmon-pink jacket, al-Araibi posed for photos with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne after the ceremony at Federation Square in Melbourne.&nbsp;

"I am very grateful to you, now I feel save. NSydneyo one can follow me now," al-Araibi wrote on Twitter Tuesday.&nbsp;

"It's a wonderful and awesome feeling to gain all this respect in my citizenship ceremony, I'm really proud to see Marise Payne... and other government representatives participating in my ceremony it make me feel secure."&nbsp;

Payne told the ceremony the massive outpouring of support for the footballer "played an enormous part in ensuring he was returned to&nbsp;Australia".&nbsp;

A refugee footballer who was detained in Thailand and threatened with extradition to Bahrain said he feels sure "no one can follow me now," after becoming an Australian citizen on Tuesday.

A refugee footballer who was detained in Thailand and threatened with extradition to Bahrain said he feels sure "no one can follow me now," after becoming an Australian citizen on Tuesday. Hakeem al-Araibi, who was granted refugee status and residency in Australia in 2017 after fleeing Bahrain, became an Australian at a ceremony in Melbourne. The 25-year-old shot to international fame when he was arrested while on honeymoon in Thailand last year. He was wanted by Bahrain on offences linked to the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. Amid a worldwide outcry, he was eventually allowed back to Melbourne, where he plays semi-professional football. Spotting a big smile on his face and a salmon-pink jacket, al-Araibi posed for photos with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne after the ceremony at Federation Square in Melbourne. "I am very grateful to you, now I feel save. NSydneyo one can follow me now," al-Araibi wrote on Twitter Tuesday. "It's a wonderful and awesome feeling to gain all this respect in my citizenship ceremony, I'm really proud to see Marise Payne... and other government representatives participating in my ceremony it make me feel secure." Payne told the ceremony the massive outpouring of support for the footballer "played an enormous part in ensuring he was returned to Australia".

Refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi becomes Australian citizen after Thai ordeal

Bahrain on Monday said it could still pursue further legal proceedings against <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/thailand-considers-dropping-bahraini-footballer-extradition-prosecution-source-196642">Bahraini refugee football player Hakeem al-Araibi</a> after the Thai criminal court dropped the deportation case that would have extradited him back to his native land.&nbsp;

Araibi was released earlier in the day from prison in Bangkok after nearly 80 days in detention and was on his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-supporters-cheer-refugee-bahraini-footballer-freed-from-thai-jail-196814">way back to Australia</a>, putting an end to the case that caused an international outcry.

"The Kingdom of Bahrain reaffirms its right to pursue all necessary legal actions against Mr. Al Araibi," the foreign ministry said in a statement, issued by the state-run news agency BNA.

Chatchom Akapin, director general of International Affairs, told EFE that Bahrain had contacted the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to say it was withdrawing its extradition request for 25-year-old Araibi.

The Criminal Court accepted the petition at 3pm local time, Chatchom added.

The former Bahraini national football player fled Bahrain to Australia in 2014 after he was tried in absentia and sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of vandalising a police station during Arab uprising protests, which he denies.

Araibi traveled to Bangkok along with his wife to spend their honeymoon on November 27 and was detained upon his arrival following an erroneous Interpol red notice was issued.

Although the red notice was later withdrawn, Bahrain requested his extradition to face his vandalism charges.

Araibi is a recognised refugee with Australian residency and fears for his life if he were to be returned to his homeland, where he claimed he was tortured in 2012.

Australia had repeatedly demanded Araibi's return, but Thailand insisted his case had to go through the required judicial process.&nbsp;

Araibi's case sparked attention and widespread condemnation from governments, rights groups and the international sporting community since his detention.

Former Australian football captain Craig Foster, who has been petitioning the international sporting community for Araibi's release, said on Twitter the most important thing now was his wellbeing.

"Sure Embassy staff will take care of him, there will be tears there tonight, as there are in our household right now," Foster said on Twitter.

Last month, Araibi's wife had issued an emotional plea in a letter to the Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha to release her husband.

"His future lies in your hands_ Please save my husband," she said.&nbsp;

Bahrain on Monday said it could still pursue further legal proceedings against Bahraini refugee football player Hakeem al-Araibi after the Thai criminal court dropped the deportation case that would have extradited him back to his native land.

Bahrain on Monday said it could still pursue further legal proceedings against Bahraini refugee football player Hakeem al-Araibi after the Thai criminal court dropped the deportation case that would have extradited him back to his native land. Araibi was released earlier in the day from prison in Bangkok after nearly 80 days in detention and was on his way back to Australia, putting an end to the case that caused an international outcry. "The Kingdom of Bahrain reaffirms its right to pursue all necessary legal actions against Mr. Al Araibi," the foreign ministry said in a statement, issued by the state-run news agency BNA. Chatchom Akapin, director general of International Affairs, told EFE that Bahrain had contacted the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to say it was withdrawing its extradition request for 25-year-old Araibi. The Criminal Court accepted the petition at 3pm local time, Chatchom added. The former Bahraini national football player fled Bahrain to Australia in 2014 after he was tried in absentia and sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of vandalising a police station during Arab uprising protests, which he denies. Araibi traveled to Bangkok along with his wife to spend their honeymoon on November 27 and was detained upon his arrival following an erroneous Interpol red notice was issued. Although the red notice was later withdrawn, Bahrain requested his extradition to face his vandalism charges. Araibi is a recognised refugee with Australian residency and fears for his life if he were to be returned to his homeland, where he claimed he was tortured in 2012. Australia had repeatedly demanded Araibi's return, but Thailand insisted his case had to go through the required judicial process. Araibi's case sparked attention and widespread condemnation from governments, rights groups and the international sporting community since his detention. Former Australian football captain Craig Foster, who has been petitioning the international sporting community for Araibi's release, said on Twitter the most important thing now was his wellbeing. "Sure Embassy staff will take care of him, there will be tears there tonight, as there are in our household right now," Foster said on Twitter. Last month, Araibi's wife had issued an emotional plea in a letter to the Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha to release her husband. "His future lies in your hands_ Please save my husband," she said.

Bahrain says can still pursue further legal action against Hakeem al-Araibi

Mounting pressure on Thailand to release from detention football player Hakeem al-Araibi has not only refocussed international attention on alleged abuse of human rights and due course of law in Bahrain but also the apparent continued ability of autocratic and authoritarian regimes to enlist global police organisation Interpol in efforts to silence critics.

The arrest by Thai authorities of Al Araibi, acting on an Interpol red notice arrest warrant issued despite the fact that he had been granted political asylum in Australia, raises questions about the effectiveness of Interpol safeguards against exploitation of its powers.

It is also a reflection of a far broader global battle for continued rule of law that is being challenged by autocrats, authoritarians, populists and nationalists on multiple fronts.

“It’s really emblematic of this breakdown of multilateral institutions, particularly those premised on western liberal democratic values which in the wake of the cold war we saw come into ascendance. These institutions were not built with the internal safeguards and mechanisms to protect them against bad faith actors. Once you let them inside the gates, nothing prevents them from poisoning the well,” said Jonathan Reich, an attorney who has worked with Russian business people and anti-corruption dissidents targeted by Russia via Interpol.

Al-Araibi’s case further highlights the incestuous and inextricable relationship between sports and politics that international sports associations strenuously deny.

Nowhere is that relationship increasingly more evident than in the Gulf with Al-Araibi’s arrest; the politicisation of the Asian Cup as a result of the rift between Qatar and its boycotting detractors, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia; Saudi and UAE efforts to substantially increase their influence in global soccer governance, and the Saudi-Qatar dispute over broadcasting rights.

Qatar’s winning of the Asian Cup on Friday was as much a sports achievement as it was a political statement of the country’s resilience and ability to host the 2022 World Cup that had been called into question from day one and was targeted by its Gulf detractors since they declared a diplomatic and economic boycott of the Gulf state 18 months ago.

Al-Araibi has been kept in prison to allow Bahrain to formally request his extradition even though Interpol withdrew the non-binding red notice a week after issuing it. He was on Friday remanded for another 60 days in prison as a Thai court held hearings on the request.

The focus on Interpol safeguards as a result of Al-Araibi’s continued detention and the organisation’s inability to ensure that its mistakes can be corrected was bolstered this week by documents leaked by dissident Turkish journalists in Europe that allege abuse of Interpol procedures by Turkish law enforcement and intelligence.

The documents allege that Turkey has obtained through Interpol information about dissidents in Belgium, Germany and Poland on the basis of purported false charges that nonetheless failed to result in the issuance of a red notice warrant.

Al-Araibi’s detention since November when he arrived with his wife in Bangkok for their honeymoon and the Turkish leak are but the two latest incidents that point fingers at Interpol procedures.

Fair Trials, an international criminal justice watchdog, has documented numerous cases of abuse of Interpol procedures, applauded the organisation for efforts to avoid abuse, and called on it to introduce further safeguards.

In one prominent case, Interpol was put in an embarrassing position in October when its then president, Meng Hongwei, was arrested on a visit to his native China after the police organisation had accepted a resignation letter purportedly signed by Meng and tendered by the Chinese government, which said he was being probed over suspected corruption. Interpol said it had no choice but to comply with the request.

Al-Araibi’s case bolsters the call for further safeguards and focuses attention on the need for mechanisms to counter the fallout of abuse.

A player for Bahrain’s national team, Al-Araibi was arrested in November 2012 while walking to a cafe in Bahrain to watch a Real Madrid-Barcelona game and beaten in detention. He was accused of vandalising a police station at a time when he had been playing in a match that had been aired on live television.

Al-Araibi spent three months in detention and was sentenced to ten years in prison but managed to flee to Australia before the verdict was issued by a judge, who like Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president and world soccer body FIFA vice president, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, is a member of Bahrain’s ruling family.

Al-Araibi’s case erupted as Sheikh Salman is running for another term in AFC elections scheduled for April.

Al-Araibi asserted that Sheikh Salman, who at the time of his arrest in the Gulf state was head of the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) and has long been accused of involvement in the arrest and abuse during mass anti-government protests in 2011 of some 150 Bahraini athletes and sports executives, had failed to respond to requests for help from the player’s family and lawyers.

Sheikh Salman has said he had not received a request for assistance. Sheikh Salman has consistently denied any association with the 2011 events despite the fact that Bahrain’s state-run news agency linked him to the arrests in several reports at the time.

Conspicuously, Sheikh Salman has remained silent about Al-Araibi’s case while the AFC only this week called for the first time for his return to Australia in a statement by its vice president, Praful Patel.

The AFC this week said Patel rather than Sheikh Salman was responsible for Middle Eastern affairs. It said Sheikh Salman had been recused from overseeing the region because of potential conflicts of interest. It was the first time that the AFC disclosed the recusal.

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura and International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach have been calling for Al-Araibi’s release for several weeks.

For Bahraini exiles like S Yousif Almuhafdah, a Berlin-based human rights activist, Al-Araibi’s case is one way of focusing attention on Bahrain and trying to ensure that others are spared the soccer player’s fate in a world in which the cards are stacked against them.

Says Almuhafdah, who was detained in the same cell as Al-Araibi before both men left Bahrain: “Nothing will change any time soon. But we have a responsibility to those who stayed behind and remain behind bars.”

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Mounting pressure on Thailand to release from detention football player Hakeem al-Araibi has not only refocussed international attention on alleged abuse of human rights and due course of law in Bahrain but also the apparent continued ability of autocratic and authoritarian regimes to enlist global police organisation Interpol in efforts to silence critics.

Mounting pressure on Thailand to release from detention football player Hakeem al-Araibi has not only refocussed international attention on alleged abuse of human rights and due course of law in Bahrain but also the apparent continued ability of autocratic and authoritarian regimes to enlist global police organisation Interpol in efforts to silence critics. The arrest by Thai authorities of Al Araibi, acting on an Interpol red notice arrest warrant issued despite the fact that he had been granted political asylum in Australia, raises questions about the effectiveness of Interpol safeguards against exploitation of its powers. It is also a reflection of a far broader global battle for continued rule of law that is being challenged by autocrats, authoritarians, populists and nationalists on multiple fronts. “It’s really emblematic of this breakdown of multilateral institutions, particularly those premised on western liberal democratic values which in the wake of the cold war we saw come into ascendance. These institutions were not built with the internal safeguards and mechanisms to protect them against bad faith actors. Once you let them inside the gates, nothing prevents them from poisoning the well,” said Jonathan Reich, an attorney who has worked with Russian business people and anti-corruption dissidents targeted by Russia via Interpol. Al-Araibi’s case further highlights the incestuous and inextricable relationship between sports and politics that international sports associations strenuously deny. Nowhere is that relationship increasingly more evident than in the Gulf with Al-Araibi’s arrest; the politicisation of the Asian Cup as a result of the rift between Qatar and its boycotting detractors, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia; Saudi and UAE efforts to substantially increase their influence in global soccer governance, and the Saudi-Qatar dispute over broadcasting rights. Qatar’s winning of the Asian Cup on Friday was as much a sports achievement as it was a political statement of the country’s resilience and ability to host the 2022 World Cup that had been called into question from day one and was targeted by its Gulf detractors since they declared a diplomatic and economic boycott of the Gulf state 18 months ago. Al-Araibi has been kept in prison to allow Bahrain to formally request his extradition even though Interpol withdrew the non-binding red notice a week after issuing it. He was on Friday remanded for another 60 days in prison as a Thai court held hearings on the request. The focus on Interpol safeguards as a result of Al-Araibi’s continued detention and the organisation’s inability to ensure that its mistakes can be corrected was bolstered this week by documents leaked by dissident Turkish journalists in Europe that allege abuse of Interpol procedures by Turkish law enforcement and intelligence. The documents allege that Turkey has obtained through Interpol information about dissidents in Belgium, Germany and Poland on the basis of purported false charges that nonetheless failed to result in the issuance of a red notice warrant. Al-Araibi’s detention since November when he arrived with his wife in Bangkok for their honeymoon and the Turkish leak are but the two latest incidents that point fingers at Interpol procedures. Fair Trials, an international criminal justice watchdog, has documented numerous cases of abuse of Interpol procedures, applauded the organisation for efforts to avoid abuse, and called on it to introduce further safeguards. In one prominent case, Interpol was put in an embarrassing position in October when its then president, Meng Hongwei, was arrested on a visit to his native China after the police organisation had accepted a resignation letter purportedly signed by Meng and tendered by the Chinese government, which said he was being probed over suspected corruption. Interpol said it had no choice but to comply with the request. Al-Araibi’s case bolsters the call for further safeguards and focuses attention on the need for mechanisms to counter the fallout of abuse. A player for Bahrain’s national team, Al-Araibi was arrested in November 2012 while walking to a cafe in Bahrain to watch a Real Madrid-Barcelona game and beaten in detention. He was accused of vandalising a police station at a time when he had been playing in a match that had been aired on live television. Al-Araibi spent three months in detention and was sentenced to ten years in prison but managed to flee to Australia before the verdict was issued by a judge, who like Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president and world soccer body FIFA vice president, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, is a member of Bahrain’s ruling family. Al-Araibi’s case erupted as Sheikh Salman is running for another term in AFC elections scheduled for April. Al-Araibi asserted that Sheikh Salman, who at the time of his arrest in the Gulf state was head of the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) and has long been accused of involvement in the arrest and abuse during mass anti-government protests in 2011 of some 150 Bahraini athletes and sports executives, had failed to respond to requests for help from the player’s family and lawyers. Sheikh Salman has said he had not received a request for assistance. Sheikh Salman has consistently denied any association with the 2011 events despite the fact that Bahrain’s state-run news agency linked him to the arrests in several reports at the time. Conspicuously, Sheikh Salman has remained silent about Al-Araibi’s case while the AFC only this week called for the first time for his return to Australia in a statement by its vice president, Praful Patel. The AFC this week said Patel rather than Sheikh Salman was responsible for Middle Eastern affairs. It said Sheikh Salman had been recused from overseeing the region because of potential conflicts of interest. It was the first time that the AFC disclosed the recusal. FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura and International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach have been calling for Al-Araibi’s release for several weeks. For Bahraini exiles like S Yousif Almuhafdah, a Berlin-based human rights activist, Al-Araibi’s case is one way of focusing attention on Bahrain and trying to ensure that others are spared the soccer player’s fate in a world in which the cards are stacked against them. Says Almuhafdah, who was detained in the same cell as Al-Araibi before both men left Bahrain: “Nothing will change any time soon. But we have a responsibility to those who stayed behind and remain behind bars.” (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A struggle for rule of law: Detained Bahraini footballer catapults Thailand to centre stage

Bahrain's government has submitted documents for the extradition of Hakeem Al Araibi, a Bahraini refugee footballer held in prison in Thailand, a source familiar with the matter said on Monday.

Araibi, who has refugee status in Australia and is a vocal critic of Bahrain's government, was convicted of vandalising a police station in 2014. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in absentia and has denied wrongdoing.

Araibi was arrested in November in Bangkok, where he had travelled for his honeymoon, on an Interpol notice issued at the Gulf Arab state's request. Under the Thai legal system, Bahrain must submit the documents for his extradition by Feb. 8 or apply for an extension for another 30 days.

Thai authorities could not immediately be reached for comment.

Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne had urged Thai authorities to release Araibi while rights groups have said he was persecuted for political reasons.

Bahraini Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al-Khalifa said in a statement to Reuters that proceedings to extradite him to Bahrain are ongoing and criticised what he described as "external interference" in Manama's internal affairs.

"Those who speak now of Al Araibi having been mistreated and those who question the integrity of Bahrain’s courts ignore the fact that Al Araibi was released on bail of 100 dinars by the courts," the statement added.

Bahraini authorities have said Araibi can return to appeal against the sentence, noting that others arrested with Araibi who have done so have been acquitted.

The minister said Araibi, who was allowed to travel with the national soccer team while on bail, had fled to Iran from Qatar "never to return".

Araibi was granted asylum in Australia, where he now plays, in 2017 after fleeing Bahrain three years earlier.

He was a critic of Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, a member of Bahrain’s ruling family and cousin of the king, when he contested the FIFA presidential election in 2015. Sheikh Salman is president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The AFC said last week that the president had been recused from all matters relating to West Asia and AFC Vice President Praful Patel was working with global governing body FIFA “to find a solution” to the matter of Araibi's detention.

Human Rights Watch said Araibi was tortured by Bahraini authorities because of his brother's political activities during the Arab Spring uprising in 2011. Bahraini authorities deny allegations of torture.

Bahrain's government has submitted documents for the extradition of Hakeem Al Araibi, a Bahraini refugee footballer held in prison in Thailand, a source familiar with the matter said on Monday.

Bahrain's government has submitted documents for the extradition of Hakeem Al Araibi, a Bahraini refugee footballer held in prison in Thailand, a source familiar with the matter said on Monday. Araibi, who has refugee status in Australia and is a vocal critic of Bahrain's government, was convicted of vandalising a police station in 2014. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in absentia and has denied wrongdoing. Araibi was arrested in November in Bangkok, where he had travelled for his honeymoon, on an Interpol notice issued at the Gulf Arab state's request. Under the Thai legal system, Bahrain must submit the documents for his extradition by Feb. 8 or apply for an extension for another 30 days. Thai authorities could not immediately be reached for comment. Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne had urged Thai authorities to release Araibi while rights groups have said he was persecuted for political reasons. Bahraini Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al-Khalifa said in a statement to Reuters that proceedings to extradite him to Bahrain are ongoing and criticised what he described as "external interference" in Manama's internal affairs. "Those who speak now of Al Araibi having been mistreated and those who question the integrity of Bahrain’s courts ignore the fact that Al Araibi was released on bail of 100 dinars by the courts," the statement added. Bahraini authorities have said Araibi can return to appeal against the sentence, noting that others arrested with Araibi who have done so have been acquitted. The minister said Araibi, who was allowed to travel with the national soccer team while on bail, had fled to Iran from Qatar "never to return". Araibi was granted asylum in Australia, where he now plays, in 2017 after fleeing Bahrain three years earlier. He was a critic of Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, a member of Bahrain’s ruling family and cousin of the king, when he contested the FIFA presidential election in 2015. Sheikh Salman is president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The AFC said last week that the president had been recused from all matters relating to West Asia and AFC Vice President Praful Patel was working with global governing body FIFA “to find a solution” to the matter of Araibi's detention. Human Rights Watch said Araibi was tortured by Bahraini authorities because of his brother's political activities during the Arab Spring uprising in 2011. Bahraini authorities deny allegations of torture.

Bahrain closer to extradition of footballer held in Thailand

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/qatar-says-gulf-alliance-needs-replacing-184365">Qatar's foreign minister</a> ruled out on Monday the possibility of re-opening an embassy in Damascus, in line with some other Gulf countries, calling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a war criminal.

"Normalisation (of relations) with the Syrian regime at this stage is the normalisation of a person involved in war crimes, and this should not be acceptable," said Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani at a Doha press conference.

Al-Thani said the reasons why Assad — who was elected unopposed in 2000 and has stayed in power during nearly eight years of civil war — was excluded from the international community are still in place.

He added that Damascus under Assad should not be allowed back into the Arab League — its membership was suspended in 2011 — as "the Syrian people are still under bombardment... by the Syrian regime".

His comments come after Gulf neighbours the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain announced late last month they reopened their Damascus embassies.

The UAE's foreign minister Anwar Gargash tweeted that his country was doing so in part because of the influence of Iran and one of Qatar's strongest allies, Turkey, in Syria.

Tehran has been a staunch supporter of Assad's government and has expanded its military footprint in Syria throughout the course of the conflict.

That move also emphasised the foreign policy differences between the three Gulf states.

For the past 19 months, Qatar has been in a deep diplomatic dispute with the UAE and Bahrain, in part over the direction of Doha's regional foreign policy in recent years.

Qatar has been instrumental in the Syrian civil war supplying weapons to rebel groups, according to institutions such as the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Syria's opposition leader Nasr al-Hariri has pleaded with Arab leaders not to rebuild relation with Assad as his government now controls almost two-thirds of the country following military backing from Russia and Iran.

'Normalisation (of relations) with the Syrian regime at this stage is the normalisation of a person involved in war crimes, and this should not be acceptable,' said Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.

Qatar's foreign minister ruled out on Monday the possibility of re-opening an embassy in Damascus, in line with some other Gulf countries, calling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a war criminal. "Normalisation (of relations) with the Syrian regime at this stage is the normalisation of a person involved in war crimes, and this should not be acceptable," said Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani at a Doha press conference. Al-Thani said the reasons why Assad — who was elected unopposed in 2000 and has stayed in power during nearly eight years of civil war — was excluded from the international community are still in place. He added that Damascus under Assad should not be allowed back into the Arab League — its membership was suspended in 2011 — as "the Syrian people are still under bombardment... by the Syrian regime". His comments come after Gulf neighbours the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain announced late last month they reopened their Damascus embassies. The UAE's foreign minister Anwar Gargash tweeted that his country was doing so in part because of the influence of Iran and one of Qatar's strongest allies, Turkey, in Syria. Tehran has been a staunch supporter of Assad's government and has expanded its military footprint in Syria throughout the course of the conflict. That move also emphasised the foreign policy differences between the three Gulf states. For the past 19 months, Qatar has been in a deep diplomatic dispute with the UAE and Bahrain, in part over the direction of Doha's regional foreign policy in recent years. Qatar has been instrumental in the Syrian civil war supplying weapons to rebel groups, according to institutions such as the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Syria's opposition leader Nasr al-Hariri has pleaded with Arab leaders not to rebuild relation with Assad as his government now controls almost two-thirds of the country following military backing from Russia and Iran.

Qatar rejects normalising ties with 'criminal' Syrian President Assad

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-optimistic-syria-kurds-turkey-can-be-protected-189910">US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo</a> arrived in Qatar on Sunday pushing for an end to a diplomatic rift between Washington's Gulf allies on the latest leg of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-vows-to-expel-every-last-iranian-boot-from-syria-189438">his Middle East tour</a>.

The top US diplomat's visit to the small, energy-rich Gulf state comes amid a more than 18-month-old dispute pitting Riyadh and its allies against Doha.

"It is time for old rivalries to end for the sake of the greater good of the region," Pompeo said on Thursday in Cairo, where he laid out the Middle East strategy of US President Donald Trump's administration.

The secretary of state travelled to Doha from Abu Dhabi, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed on Saturday.&nbsp;

Pompeo is later expected to head to Riyadh, where all eyes will be on a possible meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.&nbsp;

The visit comes just three months after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in his country's Istanbul consulate.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt — all US allies — cut ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and seeking closer ties to Saudi arch-rival Iran.&nbsp;

Qatar — also a US ally — denies the allegations and accuses the countries of seeking regime change.&nbsp;

Washington, which at first appeared to back the boycott, has so far been unsuccessful in trying to get the countries to set aside their differences in order to focus on Washington's regional priority — the fight against Iran.

Attempts at mediation have stalled, as highlighted by the recent resignation of US envoy Anthony Zinni — who quit because of an apparent "lack of will" on behalf of "regional leaders" for regional reconciliation.

For Washington, turning the page on the crisis is essential for the successful launch of the Strategic Alliance of the Middle East (MESA), which is a NATO-style security pact that includes Gulf countries as well as Egypt and Jordan.

"Today, we ask each of those countries to take the next step and help us solidify MESA," Pompeo said in Cairo.

Smiles with MBS

But the task is not going to be easy.&nbsp;

"It is complicated to put together, make no mistake about it because we're talking about a complex agreement among a number of nations where we're asking for significant commitments from them," Pompeo told reporters in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

"But I believe that there is a path forward where there's a set of common understandings."

In Doha, Pompeo is expected to meet with several senior government leaders, including Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.

The two are expected to hold a joint press conference on Sunday.

Qatar's relationship with Iran is complicated as it shares the world's largest natural gas field with Tehran.

Gas has been responsible for transforming Qatar into one of the richest countries in the world since it first began exporting liquefied natural gas little more than 20 years ago.

It has also agreed to increase gas production since the beginning of the crisis.

Washington's call for regional unity is clouded by its relations with Saudi Arabia since the murder of Khashoggi in early October.&nbsp;

During Pompeo's previous visit to Riyadh at the height of the Khashoggi affair, his broad smiles with the crown prince had outraged some Americans.

Trump has said he wants to preserve the alliance with the Saudi kingdom, although the US Senate has clearly blamed Prince Mohammed for the murder.&nbsp;

"We will continue to work to ensure that all those responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi are accountable," Pompeo said Friday on the US channel Fox News.&nbsp;

He reaffirmed that US-Saudi relations remain "incredibly important to Americans".&nbsp;

The top US diplomat's visit to the small, energy-rich Gulf state comes amid a more than 18-month-old dispute pitting Riyadh and its allies against Doha.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Qatar on Sunday pushing for an end to a diplomatic rift between Washington's Gulf allies on the latest leg of his Middle East tour. The top US diplomat's visit to the small, energy-rich Gulf state comes amid a more than 18-month-old dispute pitting Riyadh and its allies against Doha. "It is time for old rivalries to end for the sake of the greater good of the region," Pompeo said on Thursday in Cairo, where he laid out the Middle East strategy of US President Donald Trump's administration. The secretary of state travelled to Doha from Abu Dhabi, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed on Saturday. Pompeo is later expected to head to Riyadh, where all eyes will be on a possible meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit comes just three months after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in his country's Istanbul consulate. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt — all US allies — cut ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorist groups and seeking closer ties to Saudi arch-rival Iran. Qatar — also a US ally — denies the allegations and accuses the countries of seeking regime change. Washington, which at first appeared to back the boycott, has so far been unsuccessful in trying to get the countries to set aside their differences in order to focus on Washington's regional priority — the fight against Iran. Attempts at mediation have stalled, as highlighted by the recent resignation of US envoy Anthony Zinni — who quit because of an apparent "lack of will" on behalf of "regional leaders" for regional reconciliation. For Washington, turning the page on the crisis is essential for the successful launch of the Strategic Alliance of the Middle East (MESA), which is a NATO-style security pact that includes Gulf countries as well as Egypt and Jordan. "Today, we ask each of those countries to take the next step and help us solidify MESA," Pompeo said in Cairo. Smiles with MBS But the task is not going to be easy. "It is complicated to put together, make no mistake about it because we're talking about a complex agreement among a number of nations where we're asking for significant commitments from them," Pompeo told reporters in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. "But I believe that there is a path forward where there's a set of common understandings." In Doha, Pompeo is expected to meet with several senior government leaders, including Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. The two are expected to hold a joint press conference on Sunday. Qatar's relationship with Iran is complicated as it shares the world's largest natural gas field with Tehran. Gas has been responsible for transforming Qatar into one of the richest countries in the world since it first began exporting liquefied natural gas little more than 20 years ago. It has also agreed to increase gas production since the beginning of the crisis. Washington's call for regional unity is clouded by its relations with Saudi Arabia since the murder of Khashoggi in early October. During Pompeo's previous visit to Riyadh at the height of the Khashoggi affair, his broad smiles with the crown prince had outraged some Americans. Trump has said he wants to preserve the alliance with the Saudi kingdom, although the US Senate has clearly blamed Prince Mohammed for the murder. "We will continue to work to ensure that all those responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi are accountable," Pompeo said Friday on the US channel Fox News. He reaffirmed that US-Saudi relations remain "incredibly important to Americans".

Mike Pompeo to push for end to Gulf dispute during Qatar visit

The United Nations human rights office called on Bahrain on Friday to release activist Nabeel Rajab, saying that the upholding of his five-year jail sentence by the top court this week showed "continued suppression of government critics".

An outspoken critic of the Bahraini government who played a prominent role in pro-democracy protests in 2011, Rajab was convicted in February over social media posts in which he accused the prison authorities of torture and criticised Saudi Arabia’s air strikes in Yemen.

"Monday's court decision brings into focus the continued suppression of government critics in Bahrain through arbitrary arrest and detention, travel bans, harassment, threats, revocation of citizenship and other means," UN&nbsp;human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a Geneva news briefing.

The United Nations human rights office called on Bahrain on Friday to release activist Nabeel Rajab, saying that the upholding of his five-year jail sentence by the top court this week showed "continued suppression of government critics".

The United Nations human rights office called on Bahrain on Friday to release activist Nabeel Rajab, saying that the upholding of his five-year jail sentence by the top court this week showed "continued suppression of government critics". An outspoken critic of the Bahraini government who played a prominent role in pro-democracy protests in 2011, Rajab was convicted in February over social media posts in which he accused the prison authorities of torture and criticised Saudi Arabia’s air strikes in Yemen. "Monday's court decision brings into focus the continued suppression of government critics in Bahrain through arbitrary arrest and detention, travel bans, harassment, threats, revocation of citizenship and other means," UN human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a Geneva news briefing.

Release activist Nabeel Rajab: UN human rights body to Bahrain

An Indian woman was Sunday rescued by authorities in Bahrain after a Bahraini “enslaver” allegedly threatened to keep her for at least 25 days.

The Indian Embassy in Bahrain announced her rescue on Twitter hours after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, in a tweet, directed the Indian Ambassador in the Gulf nation to intervene in the case. The Indian mission said the woman has been rescued by Bahraini authorities. 
 
On Saturday, humanitarian organisation ‘Justice Upheld’ had tweeted that an Indian woman has been enslaved by her employer in Bahrain and she feared for her life. The organisation, quoting the “enslaver”, Sunday said he was going to keep her for at least 25 days as he had paid ‘lots of money for her’. “He is extremely annoyed that the matter has been reported to the Indian authorities. 
 
We are concerned about her safety,” the organisation said. Soon after the Indian Embassy in Bahrain, headed by Ambassador Alok Kumar, tweeted that the Mission has initiated action to rescue her. However, Swaraj asked Kumar for immediate intervention, saying the situation appeared to be serious. “Alok – I know you are working for her rescue. The situation appears to be serious 
 
This requires immediate intervention on your part. Pls keep me informed,” Swaraj tweeted.

Details of the case, as well as about the woman, are not immediately available. In a separate case, Swaraj asked the Indian Embassy in Washington to assist an Indian family which sought her help saying their passports and other belongings were stolen from their hotel room in Chicago. 
 
“Dear @SushmaSwaraj Ji, an unusual incident of theft has left us devastated here in Chicago while returning back to India. All our belongings, including passports, were stolen from our hotel room booked at Edward Hotel and there’s no one willing to help. Please intervene,” Jyoti, a member of the family, tweeted.

An Indian woman was Sunday rescued by authorities in Bahrain after a Bahraini “enslaver” allegedly threatened to keep her for at least 25 days. The Indian Embassy in Bahrain announced her rescue on Twitter hours after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, in a tweet, directed the Indian Ambassador in the Gulf nation to intervene in the case.

An Indian woman was Sunday rescued by authorities in Bahrain after a Bahraini “enslaver” allegedly threatened to keep her for at least 25 days. The Indian Embassy in Bahrain announced her rescue on Twitter hours after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, in a tweet, directed the Indian Ambassador in the Gulf nation to intervene in the case. The Indian mission said the woman has been rescued by Bahraini authorities. On Saturday, humanitarian organisation ‘Justice Upheld’ had tweeted that an Indian woman has been enslaved by her employer in Bahrain and she feared for her life. The organisation, quoting the “enslaver”, Sunday said he was going to keep her for at least 25 days as he had paid ‘lots of money for her’. “He is extremely annoyed that the matter has been reported to the Indian authorities. We are concerned about her safety,” the organisation said. Soon after the Indian Embassy in Bahrain, headed by Ambassador Alok Kumar, tweeted that the Mission has initiated action to rescue her. However, Swaraj asked Kumar for immediate intervention, saying the situation appeared to be serious. “Alok – I know you are working for her rescue. The situation appears to be serious This requires immediate intervention on your part. Pls keep me informed,” Swaraj tweeted. Details of the case, as well as about the woman, are not immediately available. In a separate case, Swaraj asked the Indian Embassy in Washington to assist an Indian family which sought her help saying their passports and other belongings were stolen from their hotel room in Chicago. “Dear @SushmaSwaraj Ji, an unusual incident of theft has left us devastated here in Chicago while returning back to India. All our belongings, including passports, were stolen from our hotel room booked at Edward Hotel and there’s no one willing to help. Please intervene,” Jyoti, a member of the family, tweeted.

Indian woman in captivity of ‘enslaver’ in Bahrain rescued: Indian mission

The foreign minister of US&nbsp;ally Bahrain has defended Australia's formal recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying the move would not affect a future Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.

Australia's government announced the decision on Saturday, reversing decades of Middle East policy, but said it would not immediately move its embassy there.

The United States in May opened its embassy in Jerusalem.

The Arab League had issued a statement criticising the Australian decision as "blatantly biased towards the positions and policies of the Israeli occupation".

But Bahraini minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa described the statement as "mere rhetoric and irresponsible".

"Australia's stance does not impact the legitimate Palestinian demands, first among them being East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, and it does not contradict the Arab Peace Initiative," he tweeted on Saturday.

Sheikh Khalid has previously said Israel had the right to defend itself against Shi'ite Muslim Iran, which Bahrain blames for stoking unrest in the Sunni-ruled island state. Iran denies interfering in Bahrain.

The foreign minister of US ally Bahrain has defended Australia's formal recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying the move would not affect a future Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.

The foreign minister of US ally Bahrain has defended Australia's formal recognition of West Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying the move would not affect a future Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital. Australia's government announced the decision on Saturday, reversing decades of Middle East policy, but said it would not immediately move its embassy there. The United States in May opened its embassy in Jerusalem. The Arab League had issued a statement criticising the Australian decision as "blatantly biased towards the positions and policies of the Israeli occupation". But Bahraini minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa described the statement as "mere rhetoric and irresponsible". "Australia's stance does not impact the legitimate Palestinian demands, first among them being East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, and it does not contradict the Arab Peace Initiative," he tweeted on Saturday. Sheikh Khalid has previously said Israel had the right to defend itself against Shi'ite Muslim Iran, which Bahrain blames for stoking unrest in the Sunni-ruled island state. Iran denies interfering in Bahrain.

Bahrain foreign minister defends Australia's decision on Jerusalem

The Bahrain government is likely to sign an agreement with India early next year for cooperation in space technology, a Bahraini minister has said.

In February next year, the Gulf nation, hopefully, will sign a pact with Indian space agency ISRO for training and research purposes, Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister for Transportation and Telecommunications, Bahrain, said.

“The national science and space agency (Bahrain) and ISRO will sign a MoU. It has been approved by the Bahrain government and is in its final stage. And hopefully, I will be in India shortly, maybe in the next air show in February to sign the MoU,” the minister, who also holds the space portfolio, said.

The agreement will be mainly for training purposes and both countries will cooperate on research and technology, he added.

“It is just a starting point. The government will send some Bahrainis to be trained in India from January for eight weeks…to study how they can design and build satellites,” Mohammed said.

Bahrain is also looking to forge closer economic ties with India to attract investment and tech companies.

“We are in continuous discussion with the private sector, CII and Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) which is the government agency to promote Bahrain and attract foreign direct investment, and India is one of the important markets for EDB. It has an office there. There will be a delegation there in December,” the minister said.

He further said India is an important market and it will become one of the superpowers in terms of economy.

On investment from India, he said: “I believe Indian companies are becoming bigger, they are expanding outside of India and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries offer them the best opportunity.”

“We are more focused on technology and knowledge-based industry and services.”

India is an important business partner for Bahrain, and the kingdom is keen to further strengthen the relations with the private sector in India.

The trade relationship between the two countries also prompted many Indians to set up their businesses there.

“Located at the heart of the Middle East, Bahrain is the natural gateway to the Gulf region, with strong, efficient and cost-effective pan-GCC transport links and direct access to Saudi Arabia – the region’s largest market,” Bahraini officials said.

The Bahrain government is likely to sign an agreement with India early next year for cooperation in space technology, a Bahraini minister has said. In February next year, the Gulf nation, hopefully, will sign a pact with Indian space agency ISRO for training and research purposes, Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister for Transportation and Telecommunications, Bahrain, said.

The Bahrain government is likely to sign an agreement with India early next year for cooperation in space technology, a Bahraini minister has said. In February next year, the Gulf nation, hopefully, will sign a pact with Indian space agency ISRO for training and research purposes, Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister for Transportation and Telecommunications, Bahrain, said. “The national science and space agency (Bahrain) and ISRO will sign a MoU. It has been approved by the Bahrain government and is in its final stage. And hopefully, I will be in India shortly, maybe in the next air show in February to sign the MoU,” the minister, who also holds the space portfolio, said. The agreement will be mainly for training purposes and both countries will cooperate on research and technology, he added. “It is just a starting point. The government will send some Bahrainis to be trained in India from January for eight weeks…to study how they can design and build satellites,” Mohammed said. Bahrain is also looking to forge closer economic ties with India to attract investment and tech companies. “We are in continuous discussion with the private sector, CII and Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) which is the government agency to promote Bahrain and attract foreign direct investment, and India is one of the important markets for EDB. It has an office there. There will be a delegation there in December,” the minister said. He further said India is an important market and it will become one of the superpowers in terms of economy. On investment from India, he said: “I believe Indian companies are becoming bigger, they are expanding outside of India and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries offer them the best opportunity.” “We are more focused on technology and knowledge-based industry and services.” India is an important business partner for Bahrain, and the kingdom is keen to further strengthen the relations with the private sector in India. The trade relationship between the two countries also prompted many Indians to set up their businesses there. “Located at the heart of the Middle East, Bahrain is the natural gateway to the Gulf region, with strong, efficient and cost-effective pan-GCC transport links and direct access to Saudi Arabia – the region’s largest market,” Bahraini officials said.

India, Bahrain likely to ink pact for cooperation in space technology

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