PM Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Bahrain.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the Indian community in Bahrain for their hard work and said his heart was filled with happiness when he heard words of praise about the Indian community's contributions in the Gulf country.
Addressing the Indian community at the packed Bahrain National Stadium in Manama, PM Modi said his visit was as the head of the government, as the Prime Minister of the country, but its main purpose was to meet the Indian community and communicate with them and thousands of friends in Bahrain.
"The diversity and colours of India are our strength, it astonishes and attracts the world," PM Modi told the Indians in Bahrain, who switched on their mobile flash lights to welcome the prime minister upon his arrival.
"It took quite a long time for an Indian Prime Minister to visit Bahrain," PM Modi said, adding that he was fortunate enough to be the first Indian prime minister to visit the tiny Gulf Kingdom.
PM Modi, who is on a visit to France, UAE and Bahrain, is the first Indian prime minister to visit Bahrain.
He said that the diversity and colours of India are its strength, which astonishes and attracts the world as he appealed to the Indian diaspora in Bahrain to avail the new opportunities for growth being generated by his government.
He hailed the contribution of the Indian community in Bahrain's growth story and said, "there is immense goodwill here for your honesty, loyalty, workability and your contribution to the socio-economic life of Indians. You have made a place for yourself here with your hard work. We have to strengthen this Goodwill."
"Whenever I hear the praise of the Indian people, the Indian business people here, the people who are settled here, my heart is filled with happiness," PM Modi said, adding that the Bahrain leadership praised the contributions of the Indian community during their meetings on Saturday.
The prime minister said India was moving forward with the active participation of crores of Indians both inside and outside the country.
He said his government is sitting on steering only and the accelerator is pressed by the people of the country.
"Every Indian now believes that their dreams can be fulfilled, hopes and aspirations can be fulfilled. On the strength of this belief, I am busy in fulfilling new resolutions," he said.
"Our goals are high. We have to double the size of our economy to make USD 5 trillion in coming five years" he said.
"Do you feel a change in India?" he asked, with the crowd responding "yes."
He also announced that the Indian expats will soon be able to transact in Bahrain with RuPay card.
"Today, we have signed an MoU, our aim is to provide you the facility to send money to your home in India through RuPay Card,'' he said.
Noting that 'Chandrayaan-2' would land on the surface of moon on September 7, PM Modi said the entire world is discussing India's space missions today.
"The world is astonished that how are we able to gain these results in such small budget, using only our skills," he said.
"Our relation with Bahrain has been of trade and business, but more than that it has been of humanity, values and culture," he said and asked Indians to invite their Bahraini friends to visit and explore India.
He also said that India and Bahrain will expand cooperation in new field including space.
PM Modi said he will visit the historic Shrinathji's temple tomorrow and pray for the prosperity and peace of all.
Around 350,000 Indian nationals, mostly from Kerala, live in Bahrain. The Indian community comprise a third of Bahrain's total population of 1.2 million.