Bahrain's Foreign Minister Accompanies Sushma Swaraj To Temple

In a rare gesture, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa today accompanied External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to a temple in the 'Little India' area of the Bahraini capital in Manama.

After their talks, both the leaders accompanied by their respective delegations visited Shrinath temple as hundreds of Indian expatriates gathered to welcome them.

Ms Swaraj and Mr Khalid made their way to the temple passing through the by-lanes of the 'Little India' amid Punjabi music and drum beats.

The two leaders stayed at the temple for about 20 minutes.

Such a massive crowd had gathered at the temple that a golf cart had to be brought through the by-lanes to take the leaders out of the area.

"We are honoured to have the ministers of the two countries visit the temple and hope further strengthening of bilateral ties as a large Indian diaspora lives here," temple secretary Mahesh Bhatia said.

"It is a rare gesture on the part of Bahrain Foreign Minister to accompany her (Swaraj) to the temple and visit the Little India area," an official said.