Visit of H.E Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain(08-09 April 2019)

H.E Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain met Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi. He is on a two-day visit to Pakistan at the invitation of the Foreign Minister.

The two Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in all areas of common interest. Thanking Bahraini Foreign Minister for the gift of King Hamad University of Nursing and Associated Medical Sciences, the Foreign Minister expressed the hope that the construction work on the project would commence soon.

Expressing deep appreciation for Bahrain’s support to Pakistan’s Resolution on “Maintenance and Promotion of Regional Peace and Security in South Asia” at the 46thCFM, the Foreign Minister underscored Pakistan’s strong reservations at assigning India any role in the OIC. Drawing the visiting dignitary’s attention towards the looming danger of Indian aggression, as the Lok Sabha elections draw closer, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi warned that if India chose the path of aggression, Pakistan would forcefully respond. He also apprised the visiting dignitary on the role played by Pakistan in the ongoing talks between the US and the Afghan Taliban.

H.E Shaikh Khalid shared the desire of the Foreign Minister for further deepening of bilateral relations, especially in the field of trade and investment. Referring to the invitation extended by the Prime Minister of Bahrain to Prime Minister Imran Khan, he hoped that the visit would be scheduled at an early date. He lauded Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and stability, its restraint in the face of Indian aggression and contribution to Afghan peace process. The sides agreed to convene the second round of Joint Ministerial Commission in the later half of 2019 in Manama. The two Foreign Ministers also signed a Protocol on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion, to further promote bilateral trade and investment relations.

The Foreign Minister of Bahrain will call on the President and the Prime Minster and will have a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff.

Islamabad
08 April 2019

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