India and Bahrain have long enjoyed a strong and growing relationship, with both nations working closely to deepen ties in various fields, including healthcare, education, tourism, and security.
The partnership was further solidified in the recent 4th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission (HJC) Meeting, co-chaired by India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani.
The meeting highlighted the importance of people-to-people connections and reaffirmed both countries' commitment to combating terrorism and tackling other global challenges.
A key focus of the discussions was the growing role of the Indian community in Bahrain, which both sides acknowledged as a vital link between the two nations.
The Indian community’s contribution to the development of Bahrain has been immense, and Bahrain's policies of tolerance and peaceful coexistence have made the country a preferred destination for Indian professionals and their families.
Both sides also expressed gratitude for Bahrain's generosity, particularly in relation to the royal pardon granted to more than 125 Indian prisoners in the past year.
The meeting underscored the growth of bilateral tourism, with an increasing number of Bahraini students choosing to study in India. This trend has significantly contributed to stronger people-to-people ties, which are crucial for enhancing trade and economic relations between the two nations.
Both ministers expressed their satisfaction with this progress and emphasised the importance of expanding cooperation in the education sector.
In this regard, the Indian side welcomed Bahraini students seeking to enrol in India’s leading higher education institutions and agreed to work towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding to further boost educational collaboration.
Security cooperation was also a key topic of discussion, particularly in light of the growing threats posed by international terrorism. Both sides reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and committed to strengthening efforts to counter it.
In this regard, the bilateral security dialogue and the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) in the field of combating international terrorism were highlighted as essential mechanisms for institutionalising cooperation in security matters, including cybersecurity.
The two sides agreed to hold the third security dialogue and the third JSC meeting at the earliest, further solidifying their commitment to this crucial area of collaboration.
The cultural ties between India and Bahrain were another focal point of the meeting. Both countries expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) and agreed to renew it for the 2025-2029 period.
This will further enhance the historical and cultural ties between the two nations. India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also conveyed his happiness at the successful visit of Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa to India for the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting of UNESCO, highlighting the importance of fostering cultural exchanges and bilateral cooperation in the field of culture.
India and Bahrain also discussed global issues of mutual interest, such as the need for global governance reforms and equitable access to clean and green technologies for countries in the Global South.
Jaishankar thanked Bahrain for its participation in the Voice of Global South Summits, which have served as a platform for countries of the Global South to share their development perspectives and priorities.
Both sides agreed on the importance of enhancing collaboration on global challenges and working together to promote peace efforts in the Middle East.
Additionally, Bahrain congratulated India for the successful hosting of the G20 summit, which was centred around the theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family, One Future."
The two countries discussed their shared interests in regional and multilateral issues and agreed on the importance of continued diplomatic engagement. Bahrain also shared its plans to host an international conference on peace in the Middle East, a proposal that was welcomed by the Indian side.
The two sides agreed to hold early meetings of existing bilateral mechanisms, such as the Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) and Joint Committee Meetings under the MoU on manpower and development.
It was decided that the seventh FOC would be held in New Delhi at a mutually convenient time, with the fifth meeting of the High Joint Commission to be held in India at a later date, the scheduling of which will be worked out through diplomatic channels.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from both sides to further strengthen the India-Bahrain partnership, not only in the areas of people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation but also in addressing key global challenges.
This cooperation continues to grow, with both countries viewing each other as key partners in fostering peace, stability, and development in the Middle East and beyond.
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