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Bahrain's state oil company declared force majeure on Monday for its shipments after an Iranian attack set its refinery ablaze. The state-run Bahrain News Agency carried the announcement of the force majeure, a legal manoeuvre that releases a company from its contractual obligations because of extraordinary circumstances. It said the company's operations "have been affected by the ongoing regional conflict in the Middle East and the recent attack on its refinery complex." It insisted that local demand could still be met.
Israel has struck southern Lebanon and Beirut again early Sunday and killed 12 more people, the Lebanese health ministry said, as the war in the Middle East keeps escalating. Israeli officials said the strikes targeted commanders of the Lebanese branch of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised "many surprises" for the next phase of the conflict. Meanwhile, two border guards in Kuwait were killed when a swarm of missiles and drones hit the Gulf country. On Saturday, an Israeli attack hit an oil storage facility in Tehran, which sent up pillars of fire that could be seen in Associated Press video as a glow against the night sky. It appeared to be the first time a civil industrial facility has been targeted in the war. The war, which erupted on Feb 28 after joint US-Israeli strikes hit Iran, has so far killed at least 1,230 people in the Islamic Republic, more than 300 in Lebanon and around a dozen in Israel, according to officials.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to the King of Bahrain, Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman, and condemned the recent attacks on the two countries in violation of their sovereignty and territorial integrity. During his telephonic conversations with the two leaders, Prime Minister Modi said that the earliest restoration of regional peace and stability is of utmost importance and thanked them for looking after the well-being of the Indian community living there in these difficult times. "Discussed the evolving situation in West Asia with Crown Prince and PM of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman. India condemns the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia in violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. "We agreed that earliest restoration of regional peace and stability is of utmost importance. I thanked him for looking after the well-being of the Indian community in these difficult times," Modi
Bahrain on Saturday said that a missile attack targeted the US Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. It offered no other immediate information about the attack. The US and Israel launched an attack on Iran, with the first apparent strike happening near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed measures to strengthen the longstanding multifaceted partnership with Bahrain during a phone call with his counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. Good to speak with FM Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani of Bahrain over the phone, Jaishankar, who is currently visiting New York, posted on social media on Saturday (local time). The two ministers also discussed regional and global developments. Discussed ways to further deepen our longstanding multifaceted partnership. Also exchanged views on current regional and global developments, Jaishankar said. The two ministers held extensive talks earlier this month in New Delhi when India and Bahrain announced commencing negotiations for an ambitious trade deal, inching closer to sealing an investment pact. They also agreed to develop a common understanding to commence negotiations for a double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA). This would help eliminate double taxation, provide tax ...
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met members of a multi-party delegation and received feedback from them on how they exposed Pakistan in various countries over its support to terrorism. The delegation led by BJP leader Baijayant Panda met Jaishankar at his office here after the key diplomatic tour and presented their report. The delegation returned home Tuesday morning after visiting Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Algeria. In these countries, the delegation members met foreign dignitaries and Indian diaspora during a series of meetings and exposed Pakistan's support to terrorism in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor. "It was a very good meeting, and we gave External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar our feedback. All members of the delegation provided their inputs and shared their views with him," said delegation member Harsh V Shringla, a former foreign secretary. Asked what the minister told them, he said, "He (Jaishankar) told us
Semi-conductor chip manufacturer Polymatech Electronics would invest USD 16 million in Bahrain to establish a semi-conductor manufacturing facility in the gulf country, the company said. The facility to be set up as 'Atri' in Bahrain Industrial Area - Hidd - would play a critical role in producing essential 5G and 6G components and marks Polymatech Electronic's first step in expanding its global footprint. "We, at Bahrain EDB are pleased to welcome Polymatech alongside several leading multi-sector companies to business-friendly Bahrain. Bahrain continues to maintain momentum in delivering on its vision of developing a digital-first, intelligent economy, fostering a future-ready ecosystem that prioritizes the development of next-generation technologies, advanced manufacturing and a highly skilled workforce," Minister of Sustainable Development, Chief Executive of Bahrain Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif said. Polymatech establishing a semiconductor facility in Bahrain is set to usher in a new
The Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) has secured investment commitments valued at USD 16.65 million from three leading India-based companies across the sectors of manufacturing, renewable energy, and ICT. The announcements were made during Bahrain EDB's ongoing week-long visit to Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai, designed to strengthen bilateral economic ties and attract foreign direct investment to Bahrain, it said in a statement. H E Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development, Chief Executive of Bahrain EDB, said, "We at Bahrain EDB are proud to welcome these companies to our business-friendly island nation, further underscoring the robust economic and commercial ties between India and Bahrain that have been traced back 5,000 years to the Dilmun and Indus Valley civilizations. "This cumulative investment reflects the strength and competitiveness of Bahrain's value-proposition and fast-growing reputation as a key regional hub for leading manufacturin
Iran and Bahrain have agreed to talk about how they might resume bilateral relations after nearly eight years, Iranian media reported Monday. The report by state-run IRNA news agency said Iran's acting foreign minister Ali Bagheri Kani and his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani spoke on the sidelines of the ongoing Asian Cooperation Dialogue in Tehran. The report said both sides agreed on creating the framework to start talks on the requirements for resuming diplomatic relations. This is al-Zayani's second visit to Tehran in a month. The first came during the memorial for President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash in May. Bahrain cut its diplomatic relations with Iran after Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Tehran following Riyadh's execution of an opposition Shiite cleric and attacks on Saudi diplomatic posts in Iran in 2016. Iran and Saudi Arabia resumed their diplomatic relations in 2023.
The government on Wednesday permitted exports of 4,750 tonnes of onion to Bhutan, Bahrain, and Mauritius through the National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL). The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a notification said that while export of 550 tonnes of onion is permitted to Bhutan; 3,000 tonnes to Bahrain, and 1,200 tonnes to Mauritius. "Exports of onions" to these three countries "through NCEL is notified," it said. Last week, India allowed exports of 64,400 tonnes of onion to the UAE and Bangladesh. DGFT is an arm of the commerce ministry, which deals with norms related to imports and exports. Though onion exports are banned, shipments are allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to other countries based on their request. On December 8 last year, the government banned exports of onion till March 31 this year with a view to increase domestic availability and to keep prices in check. To control prices, the government has earlier taken several steps