Bahrain Foreign Minister Dr. Alzayani Visits India for 5th High Joint Commission Meeting to Boost Bilateral Ties

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani arrived in India on Monday to co-chair the 5th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission Meeting alongside External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, marking another step toward strengthening the deep-rooted diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations.

The visit was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, who welcomed Dr. Alzayani on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Warm welcome to FM Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He will be co-chairing the 5th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission meeting with EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar. This visit offers an opportunity to build on the positive momentum in India-Bahrain relations.”

During his short yet impactful visit, Dr. Alzayani met Dr. Jaishankar to discuss a wide range of bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues before departing later in the day. The discussions are expected to focus on enhancing cooperation across trade, education, security, and cultural exchanges, reflecting the shared vision of both nations to deepen collaboration in key areas.

This meeting follows Dr. Jaishankar’s visit to Bahrain in December last year, when the two ministers co-chaired the 4th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission Meeting. That session laid the foundation for several new initiatives, including expanding cooperation in the education sector. India had welcomed more Bahraini students to pursue higher studies in its prestigious institutions, strengthening educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Both sides also emphasized the finalization of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further enhance collaboration in education, a step that will open doors for more academic partnerships, student exchanges, and joint research initiatives.

On the security front, India and Bahrain acknowledged the crucial role of the Bilateral Security Dialogue and the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) on Combating International Terrorism, both of which help institutionalise cooperation in areas such as counterterrorism and cybersecurity.

Cultural ties remain another strong pillar of the India-Bahrain relationship. Both countries have agreed to renew their Cultural Exchange Program, exploring new initiatives to promote people-to-people connections, arts, and cultural understanding.

India and Bahrain share a long-standing friendship built on political goodwill, economic engagement, and cultural linkages. A key element of this partnership is the Indian diaspora, with nearly 332,000 Indian nationals living in Bahrain, accounting for almost a quarter of the country’s population. This community continues to play a vital role in strengthening social, cultural, and economic bridges between the two nations.

The 5th Joint Commission meeting underscores the mutual commitment to deepening strategic cooperation, fostering innovation, and ensuring that the India-Bahrain partnership continues to thrive in an evolving global landscape.

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