New Delhi, Dec 6 (IANS): External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will leave Saturday on a three-day visit to Bahrain, during which he will participate in the Manama Dialogue, an annual dialogue forum hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain.

He will also hold talks with the kingdom's leadership. This is Khurshid's first visit to Bahrain as the external affairs minister.

The annual Manama Dialogue is conducted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. This year, the dialogue is expected to focus on global security priorities for the US, and the Syrian crisis.

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel is also attending the dialogue.

Bahrain has 350,000 Indians, comprising the largest expatriate community in the country.

India's trade relation with Bahrain is robust, standing at $1.3 billion in the non-oil sector, said the external affairs ministry spokesperson.

Khurshid will also convene a regional Indian Heads of Mission brainstorming session on the challenges ahead and also lay the foundation stone for a new chancery building in Bahrain, the spokesperson said.

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