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S Jaishankar met Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani in Manama to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments. The talks highlighted India's Gulf outreach as West Asia adjusts to the Iran ceasefire and wider political shifts.
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Manama,UPDATED: Jul 6, 2026 19:20 IST
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani in Manama on Monday and discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, while also exchanging views on developments in the region.
The meeting took place during Jaishankar's four-nation visit to the Gulf from July 5 to 10, which includes Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. The visit comes amid fast-changing political developments in West Asia after the signing of an agreement aimed at ending the US-Iran conflict.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Delighted to meet FM Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani of Bahrain in Manama today. Discussed deepening our bilateral cooperation. Exchanged views on ongoing developments in the region." He also expressed deep appreciation for Bahrain's role in ensuring the well-being of the Indian community in the country.
During the visit, Jaishankar is expected to meet his counterparts and top leaders of the four Gulf countries to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss regional developments and issues of mutual interest. Bahrain was under direct Iranian missile and drone strikes before the ceasefire.
Qatar and Oman have emerged as mediators, along with Pakistan, in efforts that led to the Iran ceasefire after weeks of rising tensions. The indirect talks between the US and Iran in Doha are set to continue after the week-long funeral rites of Iran's slain supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which began on Friday. During his Qatar visit on Sunday, Jaishankar met Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and reviewed cooperation in energy, trade, investments, connectivity and security.
After completing his Gulf tour, Jaishankar will travel to New York on July 13 to launch India's official campaign for a UN Security Council term in 2028-29. He will then attend the third India-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting in Brussels on July 14 and 15, as the trip continues to focus on bilateral ties and regional issues.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jul 6, 2026 19:20 IST
