EAM discusses trade, regional developments with Bahrain’s king, crown prince

Jaishankar is in Bahrain: India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Monday, according to a post on X, as New Delhi steps up its engagement with the Gulf amid growing economic and geopolitical convergence. He also held talks with Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, discussing trade, investments, and geopolitical developments in the region.

Why it matters: India is looking to fast-track freetrade agreement talks with Bahrain. The kingdom remains among India’s leading trade partners, with bilateral trade reaching USD 1.6 bn in FY 2026. India exported goods worth USD 779 mn, while imports stood at USD 888 mn, driven by aluminum, methanol, and fertilizers.

The bigger picture: Bahrain is the second stop on Jaishankar’s four-nation Gulf tour, which also includes Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. The visit reflects India’s broader push to strengthen political and economic ties with the GCC.