An official reception protocol was conducted in the Presidential Palace in the Indian Capital, New Delhi, Wednesday morning on the occasion of the state visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to the friendly Republic of India.Upon His Majesty the King’s arrival, escorted by horsemen, His Majesty was received by H.E. President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.Official reception protocols began with firing twenty-one rounds of artillery bullets, welcoming His Majesty’s arrival.Then, music troupes played the Royal Bahraini National Anthem and the Indian Republic Anthem.Then, HM the King reviewed the Guard of Honour lined up to salute His Majesty.His Majesty shook hands with senior receptions, including several Indian government ministers. The Indian President shook hands with members of the official delegation accompanying His Majesty the King.After conclusion of the reception protocols, His Majesty the King gave a press statement in which His Majesty expressed utmost delight, availing from His Majesty’s first visit to the Republic of India, and expressed to His Excellency gratitude and appreciation for the kind invitation, amicable reception, generous hospitality accorded to His Majesty and the accompanying delegation.His Majesty said that this visit comes to boost existing bilateral cooperation relations with India to serve the best mutual interests and confirm the solid historic friendship and cooperation relations between the two countries and peoples which extended over more than forty years of diplomatic relations and seven thousand years of increasingly-growing commercial relations.His Majesty the King said that Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that would be signed today do reflect our keenness and diligence on improving these relations in various fields to the benefit of both our countries.