Foreign relations of Bahrain

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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.

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Bahrain is a member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), established on May 26, 1981, with five other Persian Gulf states. The country has fully complied with steps taken by the GCC to coordinate economic development and defense and security planning. In December 1994, it concurred with the GCC decision to drop secondary and tertiary boycotts against Israel. In many instances, it has established special bilateral trade agreements.

Bahrain has been a member of The Forum of Small States (FOSS) since the group's founding in 1992. [1]

Bahrain's current Minister of Foreign Affairs is Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. [2] Its previous foreign minister was Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, a career diplomat. Sheikh Khaled was educated in the United States, as a student he was a member of US President Jimmy Carter's 1980 presidential campaign team. His deputy was Nazar Al Baharna, a politician and business leader, who was appointed in 2006 following the victory of the biggest Shia party Al Wefaq in that year's parliamentary elections. Al Baharna was formerly a leading member of Al Wefaq.[ citation needed ]

In June 2006, Bahrain was elected head of the United Nations General Assembly, and used the honour to appoint Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa as the Assembly's president, making her the first Middle East woman and only the third woman in history to take over the post. Sheikha Haya is a leading Bahraini lawyer and women's rights advocate who took over the post at a time of change for the world body. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said of her, "I met her yesterday and I found her quite impressive. All the member states are determined to work with her and to support her, and I think she's going to bring a new dimension to the work here." [3] The move follows a series of appointments of women to high-profile positions in the Kingdom (see Women's political rights in Bahrain for further details).

During the Persian Gulf War in 1990–91, Bahrain was part of the coalition that fought to liberate Kuwait. Bahraini, RAF, and USAF pilots flew air strikes in Iraq from the Sheik Isa Air Base, while coalition navies operated out of Manama, the capital. Bahrain was hit by Scud missiles fired from Iraq. [4] A number of Bahraini students studying in Iraq and Kuwait at the outbreak of hostilities went missing and are presumed the victims of Saddam Hussein's secret police.

After the liberation of Kuwait, Bahrain and the United States strengthened their already good ties by signing a ten-year agreement in October 1991, which granted American forces access to Bahraini facilities and allowed the U.S. to pre-position war material for future crises. In July 1995 the U.S. 5th Fleet was established in the Persian Gulf with its headquarters at NSA Bahrain in Manama. In 2003, U.S. President George W. Bush designated Bahrain as a major non-NATO ally. [5]

Bahrain was an active member of the coalition that fought to remove the Taliban regime from Afghanistan in 2001; the Kingdom provided ships for the naval cordon in the Indian Ocean put in place to intercept fleeing Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters.

Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa I with the Saudi king Ibn Saud. Bahrain Saudi kings meeting.jpg
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa I with the Saudi king Ibn Saud.

However, the Kingdom opposed unilateral action against Iraq in 2003, and to the annoyance of Washington in the run up to the war sought to defuse the crisis by offering Saddam Hussein asylum as a way of avoiding war. [6]

Bahrain-Iran relations have been strained since the Iranian Revolution and the 1981 discovery of a planned Iran-sponsored coup in Bahrain. Bahraini suspicions of the Iranian role in local unrest in the mid-1990s remain. However, with the decline of Iraq as a regional powerbroker, Bahrain has begun taking steps to improve relations with Iran and increase regional harmony. These efforts have included encouraging Bahrain-Iran trade. [7]

The long-standing territorial dispute with Qatar over the Hawar Islands and the maritime boundary were resolved in 2001 by a compromise decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

To mark Mahatma Gandhi's birthday on 2 October 2007, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-sponsored with the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research and the Indian Embassy a conference on the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy for the Arab world in the 21st Century. The conference, attended by Arab and Indian academics, UN officials and diplomats discussed the Gandhi’s teaching of non-violence, austerity and spiritualism with particular reference to the Arab world today. Among the keynote speakers was leading liberal academic, Dr Abdulla Al Madani, who emphasised Gandhi’s moral vision: "Had he resorted to kidnapping, suicide-bombings, beheadings, or other barbarian means, his memory would not have remained rooted in the world's conscience. Believing that the credibility of one's action lay in setting a personal example, Gandhi began with himself. He quit his legal practice, gave up wearing Western-style clothing, and embraced a humble lifestyle by making his own clothes and living on a simple vegetarian diet. This, of course, differs from the practice of leaders of some Arab resistance movements, who urge their followers to boycott the West while savouring the Western lifestyle, products, and technology." [8]

Relations with Thailand and the Hakeem al-Araibi incident

Bahrain's foreign relations were put under strain and its human rights record under the spotlight when in November 2018 Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi, who had been sentenced in absentia by Bahrain to 10 years in prison for vandalising a police station in 2013, was arrested upon arrival in Thailand with his wife for their honeymoon. The footballer, who had been granted refugee status by Australia in 2014, urged the Thailand authorities not to deport him to Bahrain as he had been previously tortured in Bahrain for his political views. [9]

He was kept in detention in Thailand while the Australian government and many international organisations and individuals lobbied for his release, until it was announced on 11 February 2019 by the Thai Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) [10] that the extradition case against al-Araibi had been dropped by the criminal court at Bahrain's request. No reason was given by the foreign ministry, but the decision was made under Section 21 of the Prosecution Act, which allows for cases to be dropped if not in the public interest, and he would be released and allowed to return to Australia as soon as possible. [11]

During the media frenzy surrounding the case, the strong links between Bahrain and Thailand were alluded to in the press. Academics and human rights groups raised the issue of the very close ties between the two countries, both financially and between the two royal families. [12] According to Dr Aim Sinpeng, an expert in South-East Asian politics at the University of Sydney, the Thai and Bahraini royal families have always had a close relationship and the Bahraini royal family visits Thailand every year. Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul said in 2012 that the relationship between Thailand and Bahrain “was very close and strong” and also disclosed that the Bahrain Prime Minister was a “close personal friend” of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and had “donated roughly $2 million of his own money” to Thailand for flood relief. [12]

The latest new business venture between the two countries is a new 6,700 sq. m. Thai shopping centre in Manama, set to launch in the first half of 2019 and described as an opportunity for Thai small and medium-sized enterprises to reach a huge potential market of Saudi shoppers, [12] said to be the biggest economic centre in Bahrain, with import and exports between the two countries expected to be worth around US$400m annually. [13] [14]

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Bahrain maintains diplomatic relations with:

Diplomatic relations of Bahrain.svg
#CountryDate [15]
1Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 19 August 1971
2Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 21 August 1971
3Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 29 September 1971
4Flag of India.svg  India 12 October 1971
5Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 14 October 1971
6Flag of the United States.svg  United States 14 October 1971
7Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 1971
8Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 1971
9Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 18 January 1972
10Flag of France.svg  France 15 February 1972
11Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 24 April 1972
12Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2 May 1972
13Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 2 May 1972
14Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen 13 May 1972
15Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 17 May 1972
16Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 29 May 1972
17Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan 1 June 1972
18Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt 5 June 1972
19Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 10 June 1972
20Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 25 June 1972
21Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia 29 October 1972
22Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 15 November 1972
23Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan 4 December 1972
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran (severed)9 December 1972
24Flag of Chad.svg  Chad 10 December 1972
25Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 2 February 1973
26Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 5 March 1973
27Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 12 April 1973
28Flag of Mauritania.svg  Mauritania 30 April 1973
29Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 28 August 1973
30Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 12 September 1973 [16]
31Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 16 December 1973
32Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 5 January 1974
33Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 25 January 1974
34Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 18 March 1974 [17]
35Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 18 May 1974
36Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 6 June 1974
37Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 10 August 1974
38Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 4 November 1974
39Flag of Niger.svg  Niger 11 November 1974
40Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 25 November 1974
41Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 23 January 1975
42Flag of Syria.svg  Syria 23 January 1975
43Flag of Libya.svg  Libya 22 February 1975
44Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 20 March 1975
45Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 18 May 1975
46Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 5 August 1975 [18]
47Flag of Gabon.svg  Gabon 8 November 1975
48Flag of Mauritius.svg  Mauritius 12 February 1976
49Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 23 February 1976
50Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 17 April 1976
51Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 10 July 1976
52Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho 24 July 1976
53Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 1976 [19]
54Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 13 January 1977
55Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 15 January 1977
56Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela 31 May 1977
56Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 6 June 1977
58Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi 27 June 1977
59Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 9 April 1978
60Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 24 May 1978
61Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 27 November 1978
62Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 1978
63Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 13 June 1979
64Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 14 March 1980
65Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  Democratic Republic of the Congo 3 June 1980
66Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 2 December 1980
67Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 13 December 1981
68Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus 14 January 1982 [20]
69Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 24 January 1983
70Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 6 February 1983
71Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti 6 February 1983
72Flag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia 6 February 1983
73Flag of Seychelles.svg  Seychelles 4 May 1983
74Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 19 November 1983
75Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 23 July 1984
76Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 15 October 1984
77Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros 1984
78Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 30 June 1985
79Flag of Haiti.svg  Haiti 15 September 1985
80Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives 24 October 1987
81Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei 24 September 1988
Flag of Palestine.svg  State of Palestine 3 January 1989 [21]
82Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 25 February 1989
83Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 18 April 1989
84Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 18 April 1989
85Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 27 April 1989
86Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 31 August 1989 [22]
87Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 3 March 1990
88Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 29 September 1990
89Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 10 March 1991
90Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 22 April 1991
91Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua 12 August 1991
92Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan 6 January 1992 [23]
93Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan 25 February 1992
94Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 May 1992
95Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 28 May 1992
96Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 28 May 1992
97Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 27 June 1992
98Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 27 June 1992
99Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 20 July 1992
100Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 18 January 1993
101Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 10 May 1993
102Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 10 May 1993
103Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 14 June 1993
104Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 13 September 1993
105Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 2 October 1993
106Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba 15 June 1994
107Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 22 March 1995
108Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam 1 April 1995
109Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan 20 May 1995
110Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 25 May 1995
111Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 17 June 1995
112Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 3 July 1995
113Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea 2 December 1995
114Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan 9 February 1996 [24]
115Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 28 February 1996
116Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 27 June 1996
117Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus 1 July 1996
118Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 11 September 1996
119Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 15 October 1996
120Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan 6 November 1996
121Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg  São Tomé and Príncipe 27 October 1997
122Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 3 November 1997
123Flag of Guyana.svg  Guyana 19 November 1997
124Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda 2 March 1998
125Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia 16 May 1998
126Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi 9 September 1998
127Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Republic of the Congo 9 June 1999
128Flag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador 16 June 1999
129Flag of Suriname.svg  Suriname 10 November 1999
130Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 28 November 1999
Flag of the Vatican City - 2001 version.svg  Holy See 12 January 2000
131Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 27 March 2000
132Flag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador 26 June 2000
133Flag of Honduras.svg  Honduras 27 June 2000
134Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 23 May 2001
135Flag of Laos.svg  Laos 15 December 2002
136Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 7 April 2004
137Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 27 April 2004
138Flag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 17 March 2005
139Flag of Liechtenstein.svg  Liechtenstein 1 April 2005
140Flag of Paraguay.svg  Paraguay 6 May 2005
141Flag of Eswatini.svg  Eswatini 9 September 2005
142Flag of Belize.svg  Belize 14 December 2005
143Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 22 September 2006
144Flag of Antigua and Barbuda.svg  Antigua and Barbuda 20 October 2006
145Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 4 May 2007
146Flag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala 21 May 2007
147Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic 22 October 2007 [22]
148Flag of Barbados.svg  Barbados 12 March 2008
149Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia 29 June 2009
150Flag of Peru.svg  Peru 22 September 2009
151Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro 25 September 2009
152Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar 10 November 2009 [22]
153Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 25 September 2010 [22]
154Flag of the Bahamas.svg  Bahamas 25 September 2010 [22]
155Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 25 September 2010 [22]
156Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.svg  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 28 September 2010 [22]
157Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan 28 September 2012 [22]
158Flag of Monaco.svg  Monaco 23 September 2013 [22]
159Flag of Angola.svg  Angola 26 September 2013 [22]
Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo 12 March 2014 [25]
160Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 8 April 2014 [26]
161Flag of Kiribati.svg  Kiribati 25 September 2018 [22]
162Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg  Saint Kitts and Nevis 27 September 2018 [22]
163Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 28 September 2018 [22]
164Flag of Palau.svg  Palau 28 September 2018 [22]
165Flag of San Marino.svg  San Marino 25 September 2019 [27]
166Flag of East Timor.svg  East Timor 27 September 2019 [28]
167Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 11 September 2020 [29] [30]
168Flag of the Central African Republic.svg  Central African Republic 24 March 2022 [31]
169Flag of Sierra Leone.svg  Sierra Leone 8 June 2022 [22]
170Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga 19 September 2022 [22]
171Flag of the Federated States of Micronesia.svg  Federated States of Micronesia 21 September 2022 [22]
172Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg  Solomon Islands 21 September 2022 [22]
173Flag of Togo (3-2).svg  Togo 21 September 2022 [22]
174Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Trinidad and Tobago 21 September 2022 [22]
175Flag of Dominica.svg  Dominica 23 September 2022 [22]
176Flag of Madagascar.svg  Madagascar 23 September 2022 [22]
177Flag of Saint Lucia.svg  Saint Lucia 13 December 2022 [22]
178Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 27 April 2023 [22]
179Flag of Nauru.svg  Nauru 7 May 2023 [22]
180Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 1 June 2023 [22]
181Flag of Grenada.svg  Grenada 19 September 2023 [22]
182Flag of Benin.svg  Benin 22 September 2023 [22]
183Flag of Bolivia.svg  Bolivia 22 September 2023 [22]
184Flag of Vanuatu.svg  Vanuatu 9 February 2024 [32]
185Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 24 September 2024 [22]
186Flag of Liberia.svg  Liberia 26 September 2024 [22]
187Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 26 September 2024 [22]

Bilateral relations

CountryFormal Relations BeganNotes
Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia
  • Armenia is accredited to Bahrain from its embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
  • Bahrain is accredited to Armenia from its embassy in Tehran, Iran.
Flag of India.svg  India See Bahrain–India relations

India is a close ally of Bahrain, the Kingdom along with its GCC partners are (according to Indian officials) among the most prominent backers of India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, [33] 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 appealed to India to play an active role in resolving the crisis [34]

Ties between India and Bahrain go back generations, with many of Bahrain's most prominent figures having close connections: poet and constitutionalist Ebrahim Al-Arrayedh grew up in Mumbai, 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 [35] and the development of Shia thought in the sub-continent.

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. [36] 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. [37]

Bahrain's ruler Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa went on a state visit to India in February 2014 and has secured $450 million of bilateral trade and investment between the two nations. [38]

Flag of Iran.svg  Iran See Bahrain–Iran relations

On 12 August 2012, Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid al-Khalifa announced [39] that Bahrain has reinstated its Ambassador to Iran. [40]

On 19 July 2015, after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei voiced support for the oppressed people across the Middle East including Bahrain, the Iranian acting chargé d'affaires Morteza Sanubari was summoned by the Bahraini Foreign Ministry over "flagrant interference". The foreign ministry handed "an official protest memorandum" to the diplomat over "statements made by Ali Khamenei against the kingdom of Bahrain". [41]

On 1 October 2015 (a week after the 2015 Mina stampede), the Bahraini government recalled its ambassador from Tehran and ordered the Iranian acting chargé d'affaires to leave the country within 3 days in response to "continuing interference by Iran in the affairs of the kingdom". This comes when Bahraini authorities in Nuwaidrat (30 September) discovered a large bomb-making factory and seized a large stash of weapons and arrested a number of people suspected of having links with Iran's Revolutionary Guards. [42] Bahrain's decision to recall its ambassador comes "in light of continued Iranian meddling in the affairs of the kingdom of Bahrain ... in order to create sectarian strife and to impose hegemony and control. [43] [44] In response (on 2 October), the Iranian Foreign Ministry retaliated by releasing this statement: "The number two official in Bahrain's embassy in Tehran is persona non grata and Mr. Bassam al-Dossari must leave Iran's territory within 72 hours," the official IRNA news agency quoted a foreign ministry statement as saying late Friday. [45]

On 4 January 2016, Bahrain severed diplomatic ties with Iran, accusing it of interference in Saudi internal affairs after Saudi Arabia executed prominent Shia cleric, Nimr al-Nimr for his involvement in 2011–12 Saudi Arabian protests. [46] This followed the same decision by the Saudi government, after Iranian protesters set fires in the Saudi Embassy in Tehran. [47]

Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq See Bahrain–Iraq relations
  • Bahrain has an embassy in Baghdad.
  • Iraq has an embassy in Manama.
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel See Bahrain–Israel relations

Until September 11, 2020, there were no official relations between Bahrain and Israel and the government of Bahrain didn't recognize Israel as a state. However, Israeli citizens were allowed to enter Bahrain with the requirement of a visa.

Unofficial relations began in late 2016 due to tensions with Iran and denounced the Arab League boycott of Israel.

On September 11, 2020, Bahrain and Israel signed a normalization agreement thereby agreeing to recognize each other and establish diplomatic relations.

On November 2, 2023, Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Israel and froze economic ties with them. [48]

Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
  • Bahrain has an embassy in Rome.
  • Italy has an embassy in Manama.
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan

Bahrain's first ever royal visit to Kazakhstan was in April 2014, where the King met with the Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev. [49] The country have signed major deals between the two countries to bolster trade and investments. Bahrain have expressed its support for the Astana Expo 2017 and have encouraged local businessmen and government sectors to take part in the prestigious event. [50] The Kazakh Government has created the Bahraini-Kazakh Business Council, unveiling plans to sign an agreement on encouraging and protecting investment, avoiding taxation and fiscal evasion. [51]

Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo 13 March 2014

On 19 May 2009, Bahrain officially recognised Kosovo as an independent state. [52] On 13 March 2014, Bahrain and Kosovo established diplomatic relations. [53]

Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait See Bahrain–Kuwait relations
  • Bahrain has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Manama.
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia See Bahrain–Malaysia relations
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan See Bahrain-Pakistan relations
April 17, 2008: Arabian Shark '08 in process, a joint exercise between the navies of Pakistan, Bahrain and the United States, focusing on antisubmarine warfare. Ships during the exercise Arabian Shark '08.jpg
April 17, 2008: Arabian Shark '08 in process, a joint exercise between the navies of Pakistan, Bahrain and the United States, focusing on antisubmarine warfare.

Bahrain and Pakistan enjoy cordial and deep ties. Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, during a visit to Pakistan, called Pakistan his second home and stated that Bahrain regards Pakistan extremely highly. [56] Joint initiatives between Pakistani and Bahraini governments have started to further their bilateral trades, which reached to $250 million in 2007. Pakistani businessmen are eyeing on Bahrain's property market while Bahrain is seeing Pakistan as a good agricultural potential investment country.

Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal See Bahrain–Portugal relations

Bahrain was ruled by the Portuguese Empire from 1521 until 1602, when they were expelled by Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty.

Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar See Bahrain–Qatar relations

Bahrain has an embassy in Qatar. [57] Qatar also has an embassy in Bahrain. [58] In May 2017, Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, and closed its airspace and maritime to Qatar transportations. It has also asked Qataris to leave the country, and Bahrainis to leave to Qatar. Islam Hassan argues that " the small Kingdom has been toeing the Saudi foreign policy for the past couple of years. It seems that their severing of ties with Qatar was mainly an answer to a Saudi call." [59] [60] In April 2023, Bahrain had restored diplomatic ties with Qatar. [61]

Flag of Russia.svg  Russia See Bahrain–Russia relations
  • Bahrain has an embassy in Moscow.
  • Russia has an embassy in Manama.
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia See Bahrain–Saudi Arabia relations
  • Bahrain has an embassy in Riyadh and a consulate-general in Jeddah.
  • Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Manama.
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea

See Bahrain—South Korea relations

On 24 June 2014, the South Korean deputy minister for multilateral and global affairs, Shin Dong-ik, met with ambassador Abdulla Abdullatif Abdullah, the undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain who was on a visit to the Republic of Korea from June 22 through 24. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged ideas on ways to promote the ROK-Bahrain relations and discussed ways to work together in the field of human rights. Dong-ik and Abdullah shared the view that continued high-level exchanges are essential for the improvement of relations between the South Korea and Bahrain. [62]

Flag of Spain.svg  Spain See Bahrain–Spain relations
  • Bahrain is accredited to Spain from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Spain is accredited to Bahrain from its embassy in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 4 December 1973See Bahrain–Turkey relations

Relations between Bahrain and Turkey were officially established on December 4, 1973. [63] The relation between these two countries are considered positive, with trade at 78.1 million U.S dollars in 2006. Almost double then the amount then it was 2003. [64] In 2007, trade was at 186 million U.S dollars. [65]

Flag of Syria.svg  Syria See Bahrain–Syria relations
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates See Bahrain–United Arab Emirates relations
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom See Bahrain–United Kingdom relations

Bahrain gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971 and has since maintained diplomatic and trade relations.

  • Bahrain has an embassy in London.
  • United Kingdom has an embassy in Manama.
Flag of the United States.svg  United States See Bahrain–United States relations
  • Bahrain has an embassy in Washington, D.C.
  • United States has an embassy in Manama.

See also

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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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bahrain–India relations</span> Bilateral relations

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, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa</span> Bahraini football administrator

Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa is a Bahraini football administrator. As of 2023 he is Senior Vice-president of the FIFA Council. He has been president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) since 2 May 2013. Before becoming president of the AFC, he had been president of Bahrain Football Association (2002–13) and also chairman of the AFC Disciplinary Committee and deputy chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bahrain–Israel relations</span> Bilateral relations

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. Bahrain has an embassy in Tel Aviv. Israel has an embassy in Manama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Bahraini uprising</span> Anti-government protests

The 2011Bahraini uprising was a series of anti-government protests in Bahrain led by the Shia-dominant and some Sunni minority Bahraini opposition from 2011 until 2014. The protests were inspired by the unrest of the 2011 Arab Spring and protests in Tunisia and Egypt and escalated to daily clashes after the Bahraini government repressed the revolt with the support of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Peninsula Shield Force. The Bahraini protests were a series of demonstrations, amounting to a sustained campaign of non-violent civil disobedience and some violent resistance in the Persian Gulf country of Bahrain. As part of the revolutionary wave of protests in the Middle East and North Africa following the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia, the Bahraini protests were initially aimed at achieving greater political freedom and equality for the 70% Shia population.

The international reactions to the 2011 Bahraini uprising include responses by supranational organisations, non-governmental organisations, media organisations, and both the governments and civil populaces, like of fellow sovereign states to the protests and uprising in Bahrain during the Arab Spring. The small island nation's territorial position in the Persian Gulf not only makes it a key contending regional power but also determines its geostrategic position as a buffer between the Arab World and Iran. Hence, the geostrategic implications aid in explaining international responses to the uprising in Bahrain. Accordingly, as a proxy state between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Bahrain's domestic politics is both wittingly and unavoidably shaped by regional forces and variables that determine the country's response to internal and external pressures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani</span> Bahraini engineer and retired lieutenant general (born 1954)

Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani is a Bahraini engineer and retired lieutenant general. He is the foreign minister, having formerly been the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) from 1 April 2011 to February 2020. He was the fifth GCC secretary general and the first with military background since the GCC was established.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bahrain–Qatar relations</span> Bilateral relations

Bilateral relations exist between the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Bahrain. They first began in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bahrain–Iran relations</span> Bilateral relations

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, Awakening 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.

Hakeem Ali Mohammed Ali al-Araibi is a Bahraini footballer who plays for St Albans Saints. He played for local club Al-Shabab and in the Bahraini national team before he fled as a dissident and refugee when the team was in Qatar in January 2014. He has played for various teams in Victoria since 2015, and since 2022 has played for St Albans Saints in NPL Victoria. He also holds a permanent position as Community and Human Rights Advocate with Football Victoria. He became an Australian citizen in 2019.

The Arab–Israeli alliance, sometimes referred to as the Israeli–Sunni alliance, is an unofficial security coalition comprising Israel and various Arab countries. Originally formed in the interest of the Gulf Cooperation Council, it is primarily focused on deterring the political and military ambitions of Iran, and has been actively promoted by the United States since the February 2019 Warsaw conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement</span> 2020 agreement between Israel and Bahrain

The Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement, officially Abraham Accords: Declaration of Peace, Cooperation, and Constructive Diplomatic and Friendly Relations, is an agreement to normalize diplomatic and other relations between Bahrain and Israel. The agreement was announced by President Donald Trump on September 11, 2020, and followed on from a joint statement, officially referred to as the Abraham Accords, by the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on August 13, 2020. It was formally signed on September 15, 2020, at the White House in Washington, D.C., and made Bahrain the fourth Arab state to recognize Israel and the second within a month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bahrain–Thailand relations</span> Bilateral relations

The kingdoms of Bahrain and Thailand share bilateral relations, established diplomatically in 1972. Thailand has an embassy in Manama and Bahrain has an embassy in Bangkok.

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