External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar concluded a two-day visit to Bahrain on July 7, 2026, reaffirming India's commitment to further deepening the longstanding bilateral partnership. During his visit, Jaishankar held high-level meetings with Bahrain's top leadership, including King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Deputy Prime Minister Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.
Meetings with Bahraini Leadership
In his audience with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, which was also attended by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Jaishankar conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He reaffirmed India's commitment to further strengthening the friendly and historic ties between the two nations. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Jaishankar thanked the Bahraini leadership for ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of the Indian community in the Kingdom.
Jaishankar also held a separate meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, where similar sentiments were exchanged.
Bilateral Talks with Foreign Minister
The External Affairs Minister held extensive bilateral talks with Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. The two ministers reviewed the full spectrum of India-Bahrain bilateral relations and discussed avenues for further strengthening cooperation across diverse sectors, including trade, investment, energy, and defense. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
Jaishankar congratulated Bahrain on its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2026-2027 term, highlighting the importance of multilateral cooperation.
Interaction with Indian Community
During his visit, Jaishankar interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in Bahrain. He commended their valuable contributions to the economic development and social fabric of Bahrain, and appreciated their role in strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries. The minister also sought their views and suggestions on further enhancing the India-Bahrain partnership.
Broader Diplomatic Tour
Jaishankar's visit to Bahrain was part of a multi-nation tour that includes Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, the United States, and Belgium. Prior to Bahrain, he concluded a visit to Qatar, where he held discussions with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Those talks focused on deepening cooperation in energy security, trade, strategic investments, and people-to-people ties.
The MEA statement noted that Jaishankar's engagements in Bahrain underscore India's continued prioritization of its Gulf partners and the Indian diaspora in the region.
