India, Bahrain make pharma a key area of cooperation
New Delhi, July 15 : In an important boost to the Indian healthcare industry, India and Bahrain on Sunday agreed to make pharmaceuticals a key area of cooperation following the second High Joint Commission meeting led by External Affairs Minister Susham Swaraj and Bahraini Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa in Manama.
"Bahrain and India agreed to explore opportunities healthcare industry and welcomed the signing of an MoU for cooperation in the field of healthcare, which would contribute in expanding the cooperation between the two countries making pharmaceuticals a key priority area in the bilateral relations," said a joint statement issued following the meeting.
The two sides also signed an MoU on renewable energy even as Bahrain congratulated Sushma Swaraj on launching of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Launched by Modi and then French President Francois Hollande at the Paris climate summit in 2015, the ISA was conceived as a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to address their special energy needs and provide a platform to collaborate on dealing with the identified gaps through a common, agreed approach.
India and Bahrain also noted the existing potential for two-way investments and reaffirmed their desire to provide favourable environment for investments, both from public and private sectors, from the two countries, the statement said.
"Both sides agreed on the importance of regular and timely exchange of information on available investment opportunities," it said.
It said that both sides discussed in detail various aspects of bilateral relations including "ways and means to expand cooperation in the fields of education, health, housing, renewable energy, space cooperation, tourism, culture, youth and sports, women empowerment, customs, oil and gas and petrochemicals; security, defence and intelligence training and exchange of expertise, cooperation between universities in both countries and the possible exchange of researchers and faculty members in the fields of food security, cyber space and energy".
Both the countries also reiterated their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called all states to reject and abandon the use of terrorism against other countries.
"The two sides agreed to work together for the early adoption of India's proposed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations," the statement said.
During the meeting, Bahrain Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalifa lauded the role of the Indian expatriate community's role in his country's development.
"FM Shaikh Khalifa praised the contribution of Indian community settled in Bahrain towards the economic development of Bahrain," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
Bahrain is home to around 350,000 Indian nationals, the largest expatriate community in the Gulf Kingdom, and more than 3,000 Indian-owned or joint venture companies.
Bilateral trade between India and Bahrain stood at over $875 million as of February this year, according to figures provided by the External Affairs Ministry.
India's total capital investment into Bahrain between January 2003 and March 2018 has been estimated at $1.69 billion.
On Saturday, the first day of her two-day visit to Bahrain, Sushma Swaraj, along with Shaikh Khalifa, inaugurated the new Indian Embassy complex in Manama.
"The new developments that have taken place in the economic field in the two countries, will take economic relations to greater heights," she said in her address at the ceremony.
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Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin challenges Amit Shah on NEET, delimitation
Tiruvallur (Tamil Nadu) (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his criticism that the ruling DMK was harping on to issues like NEET and delimitation as "diversionary " tactics and challenged the latter to give "clear answers" to the people of the state if the ruling dispensation was indeed diverting attention.
Tamil Nadu and the DMK were strongly voicing opposition to issues including NEET, he said at a public event here to mark the inauguration and foundation stone laying of various government initiatives.
"Whether it is NEET or 3-language policy, Waqf Amendment Act or delimitation that likely to affect certain states-- only we are strongly voicing opposition. Amit Shah had said that we are saying these to divert attention. What I want to say is that Tamil Nadu is struggling for all Indian states. Is it wrong to demand states' rights," he asked.
Stalin, also president of ruling DMK, said the state moved the Supreme Court and got a 'historic verdict against the state's Governor because he "didn't do anything," referring to the apex court's verdict on assent to bills enacted by the state's Assembly.
This was "DMK's power" and it has been realised across the country, he said.
He further asked Shah: "Can you say you can give NEET exemption, can you assure Hindi won't be imposed, can you list out the (central) funds given to Tamil Nadu and can you assure (Parliamentary) representation won't decline due to delimitation. If what we are doing is diversion, why haven't you given clear answers to people of Tamil Nadu on these issues," Stalin asked the union minister.
Amit Shah had on April 11 mounted an attack against the DMK, accusing it of raking up issues like delimitation and 3-language policy to divert attention from serious issues and warned people will seek answers from its leadership over "rampant corruption."
With Shah stitching up an alliance with the opposition AIADMK and exuding confidence of the NDA winning the 2026 polls, Stalin said that can never happen.
"Tamil Nadu will never subjugate to Delhi, we have such a unique character.. your formula of breaking parties in other states through raids and intimidation will not work in Tamil Nadu," he said.
He accused BJP ministers, including Shah of speaking ill of Tamils in the past.
"Tamil land is a soil of self respect and valour, has never allowed domination," he said.
"We are not the slaves who will cave in to intimidation. Not just Amit Shah, no Shah can rule us, this is Tamil Nadu," the CM said.
