Manama : Bahrain and India held the fourth ministerial meeting of their High Joint Commission (HJC), chaired by Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, and Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India.
The session commenced with a bilateral meeting between the two foreign ministers, who reviewed the longstanding historical ties between Bahrain and India. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation across various fields to meet shared aspirations, as well as exchanging views on regional and international issues, particularly developments in the Middle East and their implications for global and regional stability.
The committee’s broader deliberations included senior officials from both sides. Bahrain’s delegation included Bahrain Ambassador to India Abdulrahman Al Gaoud, along with representatives from ministries and agencies. India’s delegation included Ambassador Vinod Kurian Jacob and Aseem Mahajan, Joint Secretary for Gulf Affairs.
Dr. Al Zayani highlighted the importance of the joint committee as a platform to deepen strategic partnerships, building on years of collaboration guided by the leaderships of both nations. He emphasised the achievements in economic, investment, and developmental cooperation, underlining Bahrain’s commitment to strengthening ties with India across all sectors.
Dr. Jaishankar commended the enduring friendship between Bahrain and India, rooted in mutual respect and historical exchanges. He noted the significant contributions of the Indian expatriate community to Bahrain’s development and highlighted advancements in trade and investment, inviting Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in India. He also expressed interest in expanding cooperation into emerging fields such as space, education, and financial technology.
Discussions during the meeting spanned a wide range of topics aimed at enhancing political, economic, and developmental cooperation. Both sides explored opportunities to expand collaboration in strategic sectors such as energy, hydrocarbons, renewable energy, infrastructure, electronics, pharmaceuticals, information technology, space, tourism, youth, sports, and agriculture. They also addressed pressing regional and international issues, including conflicts in the Middle East, the Palestinian cause, and the humanitarian impact of ongoing crises.
In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting, both sides praised the progress achieved in bilateral relations, which they attributed to regular high-level engagements. They expressed their commitment to maintaining the momentum of mutual visits and meetings to strengthen ties further.
Both sides commended the stability, sustainability, and diversity of their bilateral trade relations. They agreed to work on further enhancing trade and investment ties, building on the strong foundation already in place. The ministers welcomed the launch of the first round of negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty and agreed to expedite its conclusion to enhance trade and investment.
They acknowledged the significant increase in tourism between Bahrain and India, noting its positive impact on strengthening people-to-people connections and economic relations. The ministers announced the establishment of a joint consular committee to address mutual issues and improve cooperation in this field.
On foreign policy, the statement reiterated both nations’ shared vision of fostering peace, stability, and inclusivity on the global stage. They highlighted their alignment on major regional and international issues, including their mutual commitment to multilateralism and sustainable development.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold the fifth session of the HJC in India, with the date to be determined through diplomatic channels. Both sides expressed their commitment to leveraging their strong bilateral partnership to achieve shared aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity.
