Indian expats remember ‘people’s minister’

Three separate condolence meetings were held in the Kingdom yesterday to pay tribute to former external affairs minister of India, Sushma Swaraj, who passed away on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest in New Delhi. Indian Ambassador Alok Kumar Sinha highlighted the contributions of Ms Swaraj towards strengthening the bilateral relations between India and the Kingdom at the condolence meeting held at the Indian Embassy Complex in Seef.

“Ms Swaraj made her first visit to Bahrain immediately after becoming the External Affairs Minister of India. Her last visit to Bahrain in July 2018, during which the New Embassy complex was inaugurated, is vivid in memories of everyone in Bahrain,” Mr Sinha said. “Under her able guidance, the bilateral relations between the two countries gained momentum. A fine politician, a gifted speaker and above all a compassionate human being, she commanded respect from everyone and made home in the hearts of billions of Indians and friends of India. She will be deeply missed in Bahrain.

“We join the Indian community in Bahrain in conveying our heartfelt condolences and pray to God to give strength to the family.” Other condolence meetings were held at the Indian Club and Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS), which were as well attended by Mr Sinha. BKS President P V Radhakrishna Pillai, General Secretary M P Raghu, prominent community members Soman Baby and Subair Kannur delivered their condolence messages at the meeting