External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani in Manama on Monday, discussing ways to further strengthen bilateral partnership. According to reports from IANS, Jaishankar arrived in Bahrain from Qatar on the second leg of his six-nation Gulf visit, which includes Kuwait and Oman from July 5 to 10. The minister expressed deep appreciation for ensuring the well-being of the Indian community living in Bahrain and thanked the leadership for their steadfast support. During the ongoing visit, Jaishankar will meet his counterparts and top leaders of the four Gulf countries to enhance bilateral relations and exchange views on regional developments and issues of mutual interest.
During his visit, Jaishankar met King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and was also privileged to meet HRH Crown Prince and PM Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at the audience. As reported by IANS, Jaishankar posted on X: "Honoured to have an audience with HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain. Also privileged to meet HRH Crown Prince and PM Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at the audience. Discussed deepening our bilateral cooperation. Exchanged views on ongoing developments in the region." The minister also met Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani in Manama and discussed deepening bilateral cooperation and ongoing regional developments. "Delighted to meet FM Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani of Bahrain in Manama today. Expressed deep appreciation for ensuring the well-being of the Indian community. Discussed deepening our bilateral cooperation. Exchanged views on ongoing developments in the region," he said in another post. During his visit, Jaishankar also interacted with members of the Indian community in Bahrain, expressing appreciation for their contributions to Bahraini society and their role as a living bridge between India and Bahrain.
The Gulf visit comes against the backdrop of fast-evolving political dynamics in West Asia, with Bahrain under direct Iranian missile and drone strikes before the ceasefire. According to IANS, Qatar and Oman have emerged as mediators, along with Pakistan, in bringing about the Iran ceasefire following weeks of escalating tensions. The conversation between Jaishankar and Bahrain's leadership took place during the conflict in West Asia which started in February after joint US-Israel strikes on Iran, aimed at degrading Tehran's missile capabilities and broader military infrastructure. The opening wave of the operation killed senior figures in the Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering a sweeping response from Tehran in the form of drone and missile attacks targetting US assets, regional capitals and allied forces across the Gulf. On March 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Bahrain King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa during which he had condemned the attacks on Bahrain and expressed solidarity with the people of the country.
During his Qatar visit on Sunday, Jaishankar met Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and reviewed cooperation in energy, trade, investments, connectivity and security. As reported by IANS, after visiting the four Gulf countries, Jaishankar will travel to Kuwait, Oman, the US and Brussels as part of his six-nation tour. He will then attend the 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting in Brussels on July 14-15. India and Bahrain share excellent bilateral relations characterised by cordial political, economic, cultural and people-to-people ties, according to the Embassy of India in Bahrain statement. The presence of more than 3,15,000 Indian nationals who comprise nearly a quarter of the total population of 1.5 million in Bahrain is an important anchor of bilateral ties.
