By Soman Baby
INDIA is offering its support to Gulf countries in their efforts to combat terrorism, a visiting government official said yesterday. "India is happy to join hands with the Gulf region along with other countries to fight terrorism which threatens the region's security," said Indian Prime Minister's Special Envoy to the Middle East C R Gharekhan.
He is heading a security delegation taking part in the second Gulf Security Conference, organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) at the Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa.
The delegation includes New Delhi-based National Security Council Secretariat deputy director Kapil Kaul as well as Indian Ambassador Balkrishna Shetty.
India, which was not present at the first conference held in Bahrain last year, was invited by the IISS and the Bahrain government.
"We are happy that the Bahrain government, which was anxious to ensure the participation of India in such a strategic conference, took a special initiative to invite us," Mr Gharekhan told the GDN.
"The organisers have realised the significance of participation by India, which has historic relationship with the Gulf region.
"Our relations date back to pre-oil days and we are happy to see there is a real feeling for India from the leaders and the people of this region."
Mr Gharekhan said that 65 per cent of oil and gas required by India came from the Middle East region, especially the Gulf, which is home to about four million Indian expatriates.
"However, our relationship is not for material reasons. Our time-honoured ties are based on cultural and emotional bonds," he said.
"That is why Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has appointed for the first time this year a special envoy for the Middle East."
The conference will discuss, among other issues, growing terrorism, rising Islamic fundamentalism and trafficking of weapons of mass destruction.
Mr Gharekhan will make an official statement at the conference today.
He said he was honoured to hold a meeting with Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on the sidelines of the event.
"I was extremely impressed with the Crown Prince's wisdom, vision and the depth of his understanding of various issues," said Mr Gharekhan.
"The Crown Prince talked about the highly productive visit made by Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to India last year.
"I complimented him on the labour, economic and education reforms initiated by him.
"The Crown Prince expressed his keenness to further strengthen Bahrain's relationship with India in security and economic development."
Taking part in the three-day forum, which concludes today, are defence, interior and national security ministers, security advisers, scholars and academics.
In addition to GCC countries, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Singapore, France, Russia, the UK and the US are taking part.
Joining them for the first time are China, India and Germany.
Studies of regional security issues will be presented to decision-makers to give them more information on security developments.
