EAM Jaishankar concludes Bahrain visit, meets Deputy PM to discuss bilateral cooperation

Manama (Bahrain), Jul 7 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar concluded his Bahrain visit on Tuesday during which he met the country's top leadership and held discussions on bilateral relations and regional and international developments. He met Deputy Prime Minister Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa in the morning. The meeting came a day after Jaishankar held an audience with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. "A pleasure to meet Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain H.E Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa this morning. Discussed taking forward our bilateral cooperation across various sectors. Also exchanged views on the regional situation," Jaishankar posted on X on Tuesday. Jaishankar arrived in Bahrain on Monday from Qatar. He is on the second leg of his four-nation Gulf visit from July 5 to 10, which also includes Kuwait and Oman. The external affairs minister also met Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on Monday and discussed deepening bilateral cooperation, besides interacting with members of the Indian community in Bahrain. Jaishankar commended their valuable contribution to the economic development and social fabric of Bahrain and appreciated their role in further strengthening the close people-to-people ties between the two countries, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. The two foreign ministers exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest, according to the MEA statement. “They reviewed India-Bahrain bilateral relations and discussed avenues for further strengthening cooperation across diverse sectors,” it added. Jaishankar congratulated Bahrain on its role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2026 to 2027, it further said. The visit comes against the backdrop of fast-evolving political dynamics in West Asia following the signing of an agreement on June 17, aimed at ending the US-Iran conflict. Bahrain was under direct Iranian missile and drone strikes before the ceasefire. Qatar and Oman have emerged as mediators, along with Pakistan, in bringing about the Iran ceasefire following weeks of escalating tensions. The indirect talks between the US and Iran are set to continue in Doha after the week-long funeral rites of Iran's slain supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which started on Friday. After visiting the four Gulf countries, Jaishankar will travel to New York on July 13 to launch India's official campaign for the UN Security Council tenure 2028-29. He will then attend the 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting in Brussels on July 14-15. PTI FHK ABD GSP GSP