Manama, Bahrain – In a significant step towards deepening strategic partnerships, India’s Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, held high-level talks with Bahrain’s Prime Minister and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, at Rifa Palace. The discussions, which took place on February 10, focused on bolstering bilateral relations and enhancing naval collaboration.
The Indian Navy spokesperson highlighted that the meeting emphasized key areas such as information sharing, joint training exercises, capacity building, and future warfighting strategies. This engagement underscores the growing maritime synergy between the two nations, vital for regional security in the Gulf.
This naval dialogue follows a series of high-profile interactions. Earlier this month, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his Bahraini counterpart, Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, ahead of the 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In January, the Indian Embassy in Bahrain organized a grand Republic Day reception, attended by over 400 dignitaries including parliamentarians, senior officials, and diplomats. Al Zayani was the chief guest, joined by leaders from the Combined Maritime Forces, business tycoons, and members of the Indian diaspora.
The event featured an ‘Indo-Bahrain Friendship’ painting exhibition and cultural performances, including a flute rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ by the Uttarakhand Society in Bahrain and a performance by renowned Bahraini rapper Hussam Asim. These celebrations highlighted the strong people-to-people ties.
Looking back, in November last year, Jaishankar and Al Zayani co-chaired the fifth meeting of the India-Bahrain High Joint Commission in New Delhi. The talks reviewed progress in trade, security, defense, health, culture, and grassroots connectivity, while exploring opportunities in space, fintech, and cybersecurity. Jaishankar noted that Bahrain’s GCC presidency would further solidify India-GCC relations and praised Bahrain’s support for its Indian community.