Vice President Kamala Harris held separate conversations with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain. She expressed regret for her inability to visit Bahrain due to the historic wildfires in Los Angeles.
During the discussions, Vice President Harris thanked both leaders for their cooperation throughout the Biden-Harris Administration, highlighting efforts to strengthen U.S.-Bahrain relations. She reaffirmed the strong bilateral ties between the two nations.
Harris reflected on the 2023 signing of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), a significant achievement in Middle Eastern diplomacy during her administration. The agreement, advanced in a March 2022 meeting with the Crown Prince, enhances collaboration between the U.S. and Bahrain in areas such as defense, trade, science, and emerging technology. The Vice President emphasized support for further strengthening C-SIPA and noted that "the United Kingdom’s recent decision to join C-SIPA—demonstrating it can be a model for further regional integration."
The Vice President acknowledged Bahrain's role in hosting the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, underscoring its importance in maintaining regional stability and maritime security. She discussed recent developments in the Middle East, emphasizing her commitment to achieving peace, dignity, security, increased integration, connectivity, and prosperity for all people in the region.
Finally, Harris commended Bahraini leaders for promoting interfaith tolerance within their country.