New Delhi, November 3. India and Bahrain have agreed on increasing the ongoing cooperation in several fields, and with new initiatives in Defence, Security, Economic, Trade, Investment, Customs, Health, Space, Fintech, and significantly People-to-People contacts.
At the meeting, held November 3, they discussed new initiatives to further strengthening ongoing cooperation.
India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani, co-chaired the 2025 meeting of the Indo-Bahrain High Joint Commission (HJC) in New Delhi. Maritime Security, Counter terrorism, Technology, Shared Commitment to Regional Peace and Stability were among the subjects discussed to deepen bilateral relations.
India and Bahrain are traditionally strong friends, and their annual bilateral trade stands at US$ 1.64 billion.
The Fifth High Joint Commission (HJC) between India and Bahrain was held in New Delhi on November 03, 2025. The HJC was co-chaired by H.E. Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India and H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The two Ministers appreciated the progress achieved in strengthening the bilateral relations since the fourth HJC held in Bahrain in December 2024. They expressed satisfaction at the regular high-level exchanges between the two countries. At the meeting, they discussed new initiatives with a view to further strengthening ongoing cooperation in areas including defence, security, economic, trade, investment, customs, health, fintech, space, culture and people-to-people ties.
The two sides welcomed the progress made on trade, economic and commerce front. Noting the steady growth of bilateral trade, which has reached USD 1.64 billion (F.Y. 2024-25), and acknowledging that India is among the top five trading partners of the Kingdom of Bahrain, they emphasized the potential for further growth and diversification of trade in areas such as electronics, petroleum products, processed foods, base metals and gems and jewellery. The two way investments between both countries are also continuing to grow. In this regard, they emphasized the fostering of closer cooperation between investment authorities and private sector to further diversify and expand bilateral trade and investment ties. Both sides noted with appreciation the visits of H.E. Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Kingdom of Bahrain to India, in December 2024 to participate in the 29th CII Partnership Summit, and again in February 2025 to attend the Invest Kerala Global Summit 2025.
Both sides noted the progress made toward establishing the Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment as agreed upon at the 4th HJC, as also on the commencement of negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries. These initiatives will further promote trade and investment between both countries.
Both sides welcomed the progress made in ongoing negotiations for a Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Both sides agreed to develop a common understanding to commence a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) negotiations. This would help eliminate double taxation, provide tax certainty and promote trade and investment.
Bahrain EDB reaffirmed its commitment to support Indian investments into the Kingdom of Bahrain across multiple sectors including but not limited to Manufacturing, Logistics, ICT, Tourism, Financial Services, Education and Healthcare. Additionally, Bahrain EDB considers India a strategic market and remains committed to maintaining regular engagement and visits to the country. The two sides welcomed the role of Mumtalakat, the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in enhancing bilateral investment cooperation. They recognized India’s strong potential as a destination for future Mumtalakat investments, particularly in sectors such as FinTech, infrastructure and renewable energy which align with Mumtalakat’s long-term strategic priorities.
Both sides acknowledged ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation in the fields of healthcare including in health services and medical care; medical and clinical research; pharmaceuticals and medical devices, among others. In this regard, they noted with satisfaction the convening of the 2nd meeting of JWG on Healthcare Cooperation in January 2025, which contributed to advancing mutual understanding and identifying new avenues for cooperation, particularly in areas of digital health, medical value travel, and the exchange of countries’ success stories in cost control in healthcare.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the progress made in deepening collaboration in various facets of space cooperation, and both sides are currently working on finalizing the draft MoU between BSA (Bahrain Space Agency) and NSIL (New Space India Limited) to further strengthen the cooperation within the space sector.
The two sides expressed optimism for enhancing future collaboration in the areas of defence and security. The visit of three Indian naval ships to Bahrain in September 2025 has helped deepen engagement between the two sides and reaffirmed India’s commitment to regional maritime security.
The two sides unequivocally condemned terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed strong commitment to combat terrorism, including cross-border terrorism. Both sides strongly condemned the armed terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, and expressed solidarity with the victims and the families. The two sides also committed to combat the threat of terrorism through enhanced bilateral and multilateral cooperation, including intelligence sharing, capacity building and cyber security.
Both sides welcome the exchange of high-level visits between both countries, and acknowledged the visit of a high-level all-party parliamentary delegation from India to Bahrain on May 24, 2025, led by Member of Parliament Mr. Baijayant Panda. The visit reflected India’s diplomatic outreach in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack and underscored the two countries’ united stance against terrorism. The delegation’s engagement with Bahraini dignitaries and the Indian diaspora further reinforced the shared commitment to peace, security and fight against terrorism in all forms.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation in the area of culture. In this regard, they agreed to further deepen cultural engagement through exchanges in the field of art, music, literature and cultural festivals. Both sides will also make preparations for celebrating the 55th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations in 2026.
India and Bahrain share strong people-to-people ties. The two sides positively appraised the introduction by Indian side of electronic visa system for Bahraini nationals across 9 categories in July 2025 which will further boost the tourism from Bahrain to India. Both sides welcomed the contributions of the Indian Diaspora in Bahrain and the productive cooperation between the relevant authorities on immigration, consular and labour matters. Indian side welcomed the decision of HM the King to pardon a total of 248 Indian nationals in 2024 and 2025.
Indian side congratulated Bahraini side for being elected for the non-permanent seat of UN Security Council from 2026 to 2027. Both sides will also coordinate positions in multilateral fora including for elections to multilateral bodies for mutual benefit.
The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. They welcomed the positive development in regards to the situation in Gaza which has helped to ease geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and stressed on the importance of implementing the terms of President Trump’s peace plan by all parties.
It was agreed that the sixth HJC would be held in Bahrain. The dates would be finalized through diplomatic channels.
