External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a phone call with Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on Sunday, November 16, 2025, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral partnership and review regional developments. The conversation, initiated from New York where Jaishankar attended UN events, lasted around 20 minutes. Both leaders reaffirmed commitment to multifaceted cooperation, building on recent high-level talks.
This exchange underscores India’s strategic push in West Asia, where Bahrain serves as a vital hub for trade, energy security, and diaspora support. For South Asia, the partnership aids economic stability through remittances and Gulf investments, countering regional volatility that impacts migration and oil flows. It signals New Delhi’s intent to fortify alliances amid Middle East tensions, ensuring smoother access to resources and markets for over 3.5 million Indian expatriates in the region.
Jaishankar Al Zayani Bilateral Ties Gain Momentum
S Jaishankar initiated the call to follow up on the fifth India-Bahrain High Joint Commission meeting held in New Delhi on November 3, 2025. That session, co-chaired by the two ministers, charted paths for enhanced collaboration in trade, investment, and security.
During the phone discussion, Jaishankar highlighted efforts to deepen longstanding multifaceted ties. “Good to speak with FM Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani of Bahrain over phone. Discussed ways to further deepen our longstanding multifaceted partnership. Also exchanged views on current regional and global developments,” Jaishankar posted on X. Al Zayani echoed the sentiment, stressing historical bonds rooted in ancient trade routes between the Indus Valley and Dilmun civilisations.
Bilateral trade hit USD 1.64 billion in 2024-25, positioning India among Bahrain’s top five partners. Key sectors include hydrocarbons, where Bahrain supplies refined products to India, and finance, with Manama hosting Indian banking operations. The ministers agreed to accelerate negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, an investment treaty, and a double taxation avoidance agreement. These pacts aim to eliminate tax barriers and spur cross-border flows.
Indian firms like Larsen & Toubro and ONGC Videsh maintain strong footprints in Bahrain’s infrastructure and energy projects. Recent deals from the joint commission include joint ventures in renewable energy and digital infrastructure, aligning with India’s green transition goals.
India Bahrain Regional Developments Call Addresses Stability: Bahrain Foreign Minister
The leaders delved into pressing regional matters during the India Bahrain regional developments call. Focus areas included Middle East security, Gaza ceasefire implementation, and Gulf economic resilience. Al Zayani outlined Bahrain’s vision for dialogue and coexistence, noting the recent Gaza peace plan as a pivotal opportunity. He urged restraint and obligation fulfilment to foster lasting peace.
Jaishankar shared India’s stance on de-escalation, emphasising multilateral forums like the UN Security Council, where Bahrain assumes a non-permanent seat in 2026-27. India pledged support for Bahrain’s agenda, including counter-terrorism and maritime security in the Arabian Sea. The discussion touched on Houthi threats to shipping lanes, which disrupt 12 per cent of global oil trade passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
This Jaishankar Bahrain FM discuss partnership initiative reflects broader India-Gulf realignments. With Iran’s proxies escalating, New Delhi seeks balanced partnerships to safeguard energy imports Bahrain contributes to India’s 85 per cent oil dependency on the region. The call also previewed coordination on climate finance, as both nations eye COP30 outcomes.
Bahrain’s official statement via the Bahrain News Agency confirmed the exchange covered follow-up to the joint commission and global challenges. “The two ministers discussed strengthening historic Bahrain-India ties… with a focus on security and stability,” it noted.
Jaishankar Strengthens Gulf Partnership Bahrain Through Diaspora Links
People-to-people connections form the bedrock of Jaishankar Al Zayani bilateral ties. Bahrain hosts 332,000 Indian nationals, nearly a quarter of its 1.5 million population driving remittances worth USD 1.2 billion annually to India. These workers span construction, healthcare, and hospitality sectors.
Jaishankar expressed gratitude for Bahrain’s support to the community, including welfare schemes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Al Zayani reciprocated, praising Indian contributions to Bahrain’s development. Initiatives like the India-Bahrain Cultural Exchange Programme, launched post-2023, promote yoga festivals and film weeks in Manama.
Education ties flourish too. Over 5,000 Indian students attend Bahraini universities, with scholarships under the joint commission boosting exchanges. Healthcare cooperation features Indian medical tourism packages to Bahrain’s advanced facilities.
In defence, joint exercises like the 2024 Desert Flag drills enhanced interoperability. Jaishankar strengthens Gulf partnership Bahrain via these channels, eyeing trilateral formats with UAE and Saudi Arabia for supply chain security.
Economic data from the joint commission reveals untapped potential: Indian exports to Bahrain grew 15 per cent year-on-year, led by pharmaceuticals and machinery. Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, eyes Indian startups in fintech and logistics.
Background
India-Bahrain relations trace to 1971 diplomatic ties, evolving into a strategic partnership in 2019. King Hamad’s 2022 Delhi visit elevated defence and energy pacts. The Gulf kingdom’s neutral stance in OPEC+ aids India’s diversification from Russian crude.
Annual high-level dialogues, including the joint commission, track progress. The November 3 meeting reviewed 20 cooperation areas, from AI to agriculture. It set benchmarks for USD 2 billion trade by 2027.
What’s Next
The sixth joint commission convenes in Manama next year, targeting DTAA finalisation. Ministers plan in-person meetings at the 2026 UNGA to advance trade negotiations. Jaishankar Bahrain FM discuss partnership will likely recur quarterly, monitoring regional flux.
This trajectory promises sustained growth, cementing Bahrain’s role in India’s West Asia outreach.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, November 16th, 2025
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