![]() | |
![]() Bahrain | ![]() India |
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Diplomatic mission | |
Embassy of India, Manama | Embassy of Bahrain, New Delhi |
Envoy | |
Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Qaood | Piyush Srivastava |
Political, socio-economic, military and cultural ties exist between India and Bahrain. India is a close ally of Bahrain. As per Indian officials, the Kingdom along with its GCC partners are amongst the world's most prominent supporters of India's candidacy for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, [1] and Bahraini officials have urged India to play a greater role in international affairs. For instance, over concerns about Iran's nuclear programme, Bahrain's Crown Prince requested India to play an active role in resolving the crisis. [2]
Relations between India and Bahrain go back generations, with many of Bahrain's most prominent figures having close ties: poet and constitutionalist Ebrahim Al-Arrayedh grew up in Bombay, while 17th century Bahraini theologians Sheikh Salih Al-Karzakani and Sheikh Ja`far bin Kamal al-Din were influential figures in the Kingdom of Golkonda [3] and the development of Shia thought in the sub-continent. Mohammed Hasan Kamaluddin was Bahrain's first consul general to India in 1974, serving from the consulate in Mumbai.
Bahraini politicians have sought to enhance these long standing ties, with Parliamentary Speaker Khalifa Al-Dhahrani in 2007 leading a delegation of parliamentarians and business leaders to meet Indian President Pratibha Patil, opposition leader L K Advani, and take part in training and media interviews. [4] Politically, it is easier for Bahrain's politicians to seek training and advice from India than it is from the United States or other western alternative.
In December 2007, the Bahrain India Society was launched in Manama to promote ties between the two countries. Headed by the former Minister of Labour Abdulnabi Al-Shoala, the Society seeks to take advantage of the development in civil society to actively work to strengthen ties between the two countries, not only business links, but according to the body's opening statement in politics, social affairs, science and culture. India's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs E Ahmed and his Bahraini counterpart Dr Nazar Al-Baharna attended the launch. [5]
According to a United States diplomatic cable dated 4 November 2009, revealed by WikiLeaks during the United States diplomatic cables leak, King Hamad holds a positive view of India and urged the US to use India's help in Afghanistan. [6]
Bahrain's ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa visited India in February 2014 during which the two countries signed a number of MOUs during which US$450 million of bilateral trade and investment were signed. [7] The Prime minister, the President and various ministers from India met and discussed trade and the 350,000+ Indians staying and living on the island. India expressed its support for Bahrain's bid for a non-permanent seat in the Security council in 2026–27. [8]
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bahrain on 24–25 August 2019, the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country. [9] India and Bahrain signed 3 MoUs on space, culture, the International Solar Alliance and the RuPay card. [10] King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa awarded Modi with the Member 1st Class of the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance, the country's third highest civilian award, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations. [11] Modi offered prayers at the Shreenathji temple in Manama on 25 August 2019, the oldest temple in the country, and also inaugurated a US$4.2 million project to redevelop the temple complex. [12] [13] On the same day, Bahrain announced that it had issued official pardons to 250 Indian citizens imprisoned in the country. [14]
Bahrain plays a modest, moderating role in regional politics and adheres to the views of the Arab League on Middle East peace and Palestinian rights. Since achieving independence in 1971, Bahrain has maintained friendly relations with most of its neighbours and with the world community. It generally pursues a policy of close consultation with neighbouring states and works to narrow areas of disagreement.
Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa is King of Bahrain since 14 February 2002, after ruling as Emir of Bahrain from 6 March 1999.
Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa was a Bahraini royal and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Bahrain from 10 January 1970 until his death in 2020. He took office over a year before Bahrain's independence on 15 August 1971. He was the longest-serving prime minister in the world. Under the 2002 Constitution he lost some of his powers, with the King now having the authority to appoint and dismiss ministers.
Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was a Bahraini royal who served as the first Emir of Bahrain from 1961 until his death in 1999.
Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa is a Bahraini diplomat who served as Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2005 until January 2020. Khalid became only the second foreign minister in Bahrain's history after replacing Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa who then became Bahrain's deputy prime minister.
In Bahrain, the prime minister is the head of government of the country. According to the Constitution of Bahrain, the prime minister is appointed directly by the King, and needs not to be an elected member of the Council of Representatives.
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, was the ruler of Bahrain from 20 February 1942 until his death in 1961. His title was Hakim of Bahrain. He was succeeded by his son Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa in December 1961.
Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa was the ruler of Bahrain from 1869 until his death. His title was Hakim of Bahrain. He is one of the longest reigning monarchs of the region, a reign lasting 63 years. He was forced by the British political advisor, Clive Kirkpatrick Daly, to abdicate in 1923, although this "abdication" was never recognised by Bahrainis who considered his successor Hamad only as a viceruler until Isa's death in 1932.
Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa is the first wife and consort of the king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. She is the mother of Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Bahrain:
Bilateral relations exist between Bahrain and Russia.
Riffa is the second largest city in the Kingdom of Bahrain by area size. Riffa is divided into three parts: East Riffa, West Riffa and North Riffa. The city is completely located in the Southern Governorate.
Extremely strong and cordial relations exist between Bahrain and Pakistan. Bahrain maintains an embassy in Islamabad and a Consulate-General in Karachi, whilst Pakistan maintains an embassy in Manama. Both countries are members of the OIC and of the G 77.
Relations have existed between Bahrain and Israel since Bahrain achieved its independence in 1971. In recent years, relations between the two countries have been thawing, and the countries agreed to establish diplomatic relations in September 2020. The foreign minister of Bahrain Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa has been quoted saying "Israel is part of the heritage of this whole region, historically. So, the Jewish people have a place amongst us." The common threat of Iran has provided common ground for a thaw in what were once tense relations. Bahrain's foreign policy traditionally supports the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa is a member of the Bahraini royal family and since 2004 has been the minister of interior of Bahrain.
Bilateral relations exist between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Bahrain. They first began in 1971.
Bilateral relations exist between the countries of Bahrain and Iran. Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, relations between the two countries have been strained over various geopolitical issues such as the interpretations of Islam, aspirations for leadership of the Islamic world, and relations with the United States, Europe, and other Western countries. In addition, Iran has been severely critical of Bahrain for hosting the United States Fifth Fleet within the Persian Gulf at the Naval Support Activity Bahrain base.
The 1996 Qatari coup d'état attempt was an attempted coup in Qatar against Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani that was foiled on the night of February 14, 1996, less than one year into Hamad bin Khalifa's reign. Qatari intelligence termed the coup attempt as "Operation Abu Ali".
The King Hammad Order of the Renaissance is the third highest civilian honour of Bahrain decoration named after King Hamad.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa was a Bahraini politician, Cabinet Minister, and judge.