3 days ago
Gulf-Western ties just got stronger
TDT | Manama
Bahrain reaffirmed its role as a principal driver of regional defence cooperation during a high-level meeting between His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon.
The meeting on Wednesday was part of HRH's official visit to the United States and underscored Bahrain's growing leadership in shaping multilateral defence pacts through strategic platforms like the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA). Notably, HRH Prince Salman highlighted Bahrain's joint invitation with the U.S. to bring the United Kingdom into the pact, marking a new chapter in Gulf-Western defence integration.
Shared priorities
HRH emphasised that Bahrain's enduring military partnership with the United States, now spanning over 130 years, continues to evolve through deep mutual trust and cooperation. His Royal Highness said initiatives like C-SIPA not only bolster regional deterrence but also expand collaboration in commerce, science, and technology among like-minded states, contributing to long-term peace and prosperity in the Middle East.
HRH Prince Salman described the agreement as a cornerstone for regional security architecture, enabling collective deterrence against external threats while reinforcing Bahrain's standing as a reliable and proactive security partner.