Gulf NRIs told to be true to India

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee urges NRIs in Bahrain to treat the country as their first love.

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee urged Indians in Bahrain to treat the country as their first love.

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Chatterjee, who was at the Bahrain International Airport for an hour on Sunday on his way to Athens, Greece, said: "I want all Indians to be true ambassadors of their country here."

"Through their action, they should foster goodwill and friendship between the two nations," news reports quoted Chatterjee as saying.

"They should consider themselves to be fortunate to be living in Bahrain under a caring leadership and with the extremely gracious and friendly people of Bahrain."

The speaker also praised the democratic reforms being implemented in that Gulf nation.

"His Majesty (King Hamad), through his democratic reforms, has fulfilled the aspirations of his people, looked after their interest and gave them a decent life," he told the newspaper.

"India values its age-old friendship and time-tested relationship with Bahrain," he added.

Chatterjee, leading a 14-member Indian parliamentary delegation, will return to Bahrain Thursday for a two-day official visit.