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Jaishankar met Bahrain's top leadership to advance bilateral cooperation and discuss the regional situation. The visit highlighted India's Gulf outreach as West Asia navigates a fragile post-ceasefire phase.
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Manama,UPDATED: Jul 7, 2026 20:54 IST
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday concluded his visit to Bahrain, where he held a series of meetings with the country’s top leadership and discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation as well as the regional situation.
During the visit, Jaishankar met Deputy Prime Minister Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, a day after holding an audience with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. He also met Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and interacted with members of the Indian community in Bahrain.
“A pleasure to meet Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain H.E Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa this morning. Discussed taking forward our bilateral cooperation across various sectors. Also exchanged views on the regional situation,” Jaishankar said in a post on X on Tuesday.
Jaishankar arrived in Bahrain on Monday from Qatar on the second leg of his four-nation Gulf visit from July 5 to 10, which also includes Kuwait and Oman.
The visit took place against the backdrop of fast-evolving political developments in West Asia after the signing of an agreement on June 17 aimed at ending the US-Iran conflict. Bahrain was under direct Iranian missile and drone strikes before the ceasefire. Qatar and Oman, along with Pakistan, have emerged as mediators in bringing about the Iran ceasefire after weeks of escalating tensions. The indirect talks between the US and Iran are set to continue in Doha after the week-long funeral rites of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which started on Friday.
After his visits to the four Gulf countries, Jaishankar will travel to New York on July 13 to launch India’s official campaign for the UN Security Council tenure for 2028-29. He will then attend the third India-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting in Brussels on July 14 and 15, wrapping up a Bahrain visit centred on bilateral ties and the wider regional situation.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jul 7, 2026 20:54 IST
