New Delhi: India and Bahrain Monday “unequivocally condemned terrorism” in all forms with particular reference to the Pahalgam terror attack, aiming to enhance security cooperation, as New Delhi continues to step up its outreach in West Asia and the larger Indo-Pacific region.
A joint statement from the High Joint Commission (HJC) meeting said, “The two sides expressed optimism for enhancing future collaboration in the areas of defence and security. The visit of three Indian naval ships to Bahrain in September 2025 has helped deepen engagement between the two sides and reaffirmed India’s commitment to regional maritime security.”
The statement added: “The two sides unequivocally condemned terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed a strong commitment to combat terrorism, including cross-border terrorism. Both sides strongly condemned the armed terror attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025, and expressed solidarity with the victims and the families.”
The fifth HJC meeting was held in New Delhi, co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani.
Jaishankar indicated areas of cooperation between New Delhi and Manama, including space and financial technologies, as sectors that “hold considerable promise” for ties.
Bahrain is set to take over the presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in December at the summit in Manama. India has sought a deeper partnership with the GCC member-states—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—in recent years.
Since February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been on official visits to Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people were killed, happened while Modi was in Jeddah for an official visit to Saudi Arabia.
India’s role in counter-terrorism activities in the region received a push in 2022 when New Delhi joined the US-backed Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) 2022. The 47-nation maritime partnership aims to counter illicit non-state actors on the high seas.
Three Indian Naval ships from its Western Fleet—INS Mormugao, INS Tarkash and INS Tabar—visited Manama as a part of its regional deployment on 10 September 2025. The visit saw an exchange of dialogue and simulated drills using shipboard systems and equipment, enhancing cooperation between the CMF.
The other strategic sector in which New Delhi and Manama are looking to enhance ties is Space.
The statement added, “Both sides expressed satisfaction at the progress made in deepening collaboration in various facets of space cooperation, and both sides are currently working on finalising the draft MoU between BSA (Bahrain Space Agency) and NSIL (New Space India Limited) to further strengthen the cooperation within the space sector.”
India’s West Asian diplomacy has focused on both bilateral ties and multilateral ties with the regional groupings. India has focused on negotiating a free trade agreement with the GCC and signed an FTA with the UAE a few years ago. Negotiations for an FTA with Oman are expected to be concluded soon, indicating New Delhi’s further interest in the region.
“Both sides noted the progress made toward establishing the Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment as agreed upon at the 4th HJC, as also on the commencement of negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries. These initiatives will further promote trade and investment between both countries.”
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)