bahrainthismonth.com | AUGUST 2025 INDIA IN BAHRAIN 23 A Pillar of Partnership With a career spanning over four decades in engineering, business strategy and corporate leadership, Abdulrahman Juma, Chairman of the Bahrain India Society (BIS) and head of Uneeco Group, is a prominent force driving Bahrain–India relations forward through people, policy and shared prosperity. For Mr. Juma, the heart of Bahrain–India relations lies in the people. He says: “The people-to-people connection is the bedrock of the bilateral relationship. With over 350,000 Indians living in Bahrain, their contribution to the Kingdom’s development, especially in healthcare, finance, construction and education, has created an enduring social and economic impact.” As Chairman of BIS, he champions a deeper connection between the communities: “Our initiatives are designed not only to celebrate heritage but also to provide platforms for deeper interaction between Bahrainis and Indians, whether through cultural events, professional exchanges or youth engagement.” Strategic Collaborations and High-Level Engagement Mr. Juma leads BIS in cultivating long-term strategic cooperation across business, culture and diplomacy. “BIS is a cultural and community bridge,” he explains. “We organise programmes, from classical music concerts and art exhibitions to policy roundtables, that highlight the shared values and diverse traditions of both nations.” A key initiative has been supporting the ‘Taking to Bahrain’ programme, a national campaign promoting Bahrain as an investment destination for Indian companies. “BIS has actively supported this by facilitating connections with Indian business bodies and advising visiting delegations,” he says. “We bridge ministries, industries and people to realise mutual economic goals.” A recent business delegation to Hyderabad and Bangalore underscored this vision. “We held meetings with senior government officials, visited innovation hubs and explored investment opportunities in biotech, logistics and industrial development,” he says. “It reinforced BIS’s role in enabling direct access to Indian leadership and unlocking new potential.” Shaping the Future with Youth and Innovation Looking ahead, Mr. Juma is committed to shaping the next generation of Bahrain–India partnerships through youth-focused initiatives. “Young people are central to the future of our bilateral relations,” he asserts. “We’re launching student exchange programmes, innovation forums on digital entrepreneurship and mentorship networks connecting young leaders from both countries.” He believes that BIS must continue evolving: “Our vision is to position BIS not just as a cultural society but as a strategic partner in bridging relations.” To this end, he has outlined several key priorities for the next five years. These include launching an annual Bahrain–India Cultural Week, the BIS Youth Connect programme, strategic trade delegations and a landmark MoU with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) signed in 2025. The Society also plans to host an annual Bahrain–India Flagship Summit to bring together business leaders, policymakers and academics. “Through these initiatives, we aim to drive structured engagement and policy exchange,” he adds.
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