India, Bahrain Sign Pact On Transfer Of Sentenced Persons

India and Bahrain today signed an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today held talks with her Bahraini counterpart and discussed an entire gamut of bilateral ties.

Ms Swaraj, who is in Manama for a two-day visit to attend the first ministerial meeting of the India-Arab League Cooperation Forum to be held tomorrow, held a wide-ranging discussions with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

In a special gesture, Mr Khalid received Ms Swaraj at the Bahrain International Airport upon her arrival in Manama.

During her meeting with Mr Khalid, Ms Swaraj also recalled her call on with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa who also in a rare gesture received her at an international air show as both of them watched India's indigenously developed Dhruv helicopters and Tejas Light Combat Aircraft perform aerobatics in the skies.

Ms Swaraj and Mr Khalid met for about 25 minutes after which the two leaders signed the agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons.

According to the pact, once an expatriate has been sentenced in the other country, the sentence can be served in the country of origin.

Later on Ms Swaraj accompanied by Khalid visited the Little India area. A massive crowed gathered at the Little India.

Ms Swaraj in a procession walked towards the Shrinath temple along with Khalid amid loud cheers and Punjabi drum beats.

Both Ms Swaraj and Mr Khalid spent a few minutes at the temple along with the entire Indian delegation.