Jaishankar meets Bahrain FM, discusses bilateral ties and regional issues

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on Monday and discussed deepening bilateral cooperation and ongoing developments in the region.

Jaishankar arrived in Bahrain from Qatar on the second leg of this four-nation visit to the Gulf, which also includes Kuwait and Oman, from July 5 to 10. 

“Delighted to meet FM Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani of Bahrain in Manama today. Discussed deepening our bilateral cooperation. Exchanged views on ongoing developments in the region,” Jaishankar said in a post on X. Jaishankar expressed deep appreciation for Bahrain’s role in ensuring the well-being of the Indian community in the country.

During the ongoing visit, Jaishankar will meet his counterparts and top leaders of the four Gulf countries to enhance bilateral relations and exchange views on regional developments and issues of mutual interest.

The Gulf visit comes against the backdrop of fast-evolving political dynamics in West Asia following the signing of an agreement 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 in Doha are set to continue after the week-long funeral rites of Iran’s slain supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which started on Friday.

During his Qatar visit, Jaishankar met Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and reviewed cooperation in energy, trade, investments, connectivity and security.