EAM's Opening Statement during the 5th India Bahrain High Joint Commission Meeting

Excellency,

I am very pleased to welcome you and your delegation for the 5th High Joint Commission Meeting between India and Bahrain.

At the outset, let me take the opportunity to congratulate Bahrain for the successful conduct of the 21st Manama Dialogue which I believe concluded yesterday. I also convey our best wishes to Bahrain for taking over the presidency of the GCC at the upcoming GCC Summit in Manama next month. We look forward to your support for further intensifying India-GCC cooperation.

India and Bahrain share centuries-old ties of friendship underpinned by trade linkages and strong people-to-people ties. We also believe in a common goal and commitment for promoting peace and prosperity for our people and for our common region.

Since our last HJC meeting, we have made significant progress bilaterally in defence, security, trade & commerce, health, culture and people – to - people ties. But there are new areas such as space, fintech and technology that hold considerable promise for our partnership.

We have also seen a steady growth of bilateral trade and investments between our countries. We welcome investors from Bahrain to come and explore investment opportunities in India. Conclusion of a Bilateral Investment Treaty, and the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment will further boost our economic ties.

We are working on various initiatives to strengthen our cooperation in the field of healthcare.

Our space agencies are also making progress for deepening their collaboration.

We have a vibrant cooperation in area of culture and strong people-to-people ties. Earlier this year, we launched the electronic visa system for Bahraini nationals. This, I hope, will encourage more visitors from Bahrain.

India has been active, Excellency, in the Combined Maritime Forces based in Manama. In September 2025, three Indian naval ships had visited Bahrain which helped to reinforce bilateral friendship and Indian Navy’s commitment to regional maritime security.

We thank the leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain for taking care of the welfare of the Indian community and let me also add, Excellency, that at a regional level, we can see there is an unprecedented change, not just in the region, even globally.

So, I take the opportunity to reiterate our support for the Gaza peace plan which we hope will lead to a lasting and durable solution.

I look forward to engaging with you and your colleagues on the substantive agenda for our talks today. Excellency, may I now invite you to make your opening remarks.

New Delhi
November 03, 2025