New Delhi: India and Bahrain on Monday announced commencing negotiations for an ambitious trade deal and inching closer to seal an investment pact as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held extensive talks with his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani to further broad-base overall ties.

In their talks, the two ministers also agreed to develop a common understanding to commence negotiations for a double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA). This would help eliminate double taxation, provide tax certainty and promote trade and investment, officials said.

Alzayani landed in India on Sunday on a two-day visit with an aim to further expand bilateral ties in the areas of trade, investment and defence at a time West Asia has been witnessing conflicts and geopolitical turmoil.

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