Nov. 3, New Delhi (BNA): Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, co-chaired today’s Fifth Bahrain–India High Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi.
Bahrain and India hold Fifth High Joint Commission Meeting
Dr. Jaishankar complimented the Kingdom of Bahrain at the meeting on the success of the 21st IISS Manama Dialogue 2025 and on taking up the presidency of the GCC Summit, which will take place in Bahrain in December. He emphasized how eager India is to further its collaboration with the Kingdom of Bahrain.
He acknowledged that there are still significant areas that can be further investigated and improved while praising the observable advancements made in bolstering numerous areas of cooperation. Additionally, he conveyed India’s gratitude for the ongoing assistance and attention given to the Indian community living in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Dr. Al Zayani, for his part, emphasized the strength of the historical ties between the two nations and their peoples, which date back almost 5,000 years and are based on trade and cultural interchange between the ancient Indus Valley and Dilmun civilizations.
According to him, economic ties are a fundamental component of the bilateral partnership, which has grown in a number of areas and reflects both nations’ recognition that economic cooperation and international interdependence are important forces behind peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
In order to achieve long-term and sustainable peace in the Middle East, the Minister stated that the Kingdom of Bahrain hopes to improve ties between India and the area. He stated that communication, harmony, and respect for one another are the cornerstones of Bahrain’s regional vision.
The Minister called on all sides to use moderation, uphold the ceasefire, and fulfill their responsibilities, adding that the recent adoption of the Gaza peace plan offers a special chance to further this vision. He emphasized that during the Kingdom of Bahrain’s upcoming temporary membership in the UN Security Council, fostering regional peace will be a top priority.
The committee deliberated on the direction of economic, trade, investment, and development cooperation as well as strategies for broadening its scope. It also emphasized how crucial it is to keep bolstering collaboration in a number of crucial areas that support the interests of the two nations and their citizens, including security, health, culture, education, tourism, and space sciences.
Throughout Bahrain’s 2026–2027 term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the meeting also examined efforts to improve political and diplomatic cooperation between the two foreign ministries, highlighting the significance of sustaining mutual support in international forums and organizations and of bolstering consultation and coordination.
The Palestinian cause and the ongoing efforts to maintain the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, accelerate the delivery of humanitarian and relief aid to civilians, and advance efforts towards achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region were all topics of discussion between the two sides regarding recent regional and international developments and their impact on regional peace and stability.
Following the meeting, both parties decided that the committee’s sixth meeting would take place in the Kingdom of Bahrain the following year.
Following the meeting, a joint statement reviewed the advancements made in a number of areas of cooperation since the High Joint Commission’s fourth session in Bahrain in December 2024 and emphasized the significance of high-level visits in reviving the long-standing bilateral relations between the two nations.
In the areas of the economy, trade, investment, finance, space, science and technology, health, and people-to-people connections, both sides applauded the advancements made in current cooperation and joint efforts.
In addition to representatives from the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), the General Secretariat of the Cabinet, the Ministry of Health, the Bahrain Space Agency, and the accompanying delegation, the Bahraini delegation also included Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce; Nawaf Hashim Al Sada, Assistant Undersecretary for International Cooperation Affairs at the Ministry of Finance and National Economy; and Shaikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalifa, Director General of Bilateral Cooperation.
Along with senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and members of the relevant authorities, the Indian team comprised Ambassador Vinod Kurian Jacob, the Republic of India‘s ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
