New York, Nov 16 (PTI) 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 certainty and promote trade and investment, officials had said. Bahrain is an important country for India in West Asia, and the overall bilateral relations have witnessed a major upswing in the last few years, with two-way trade reaching USD 1.64 billion in 2024-25.

The Gulf nation has been home to close to 332,000 Indian nationals who comprise nearly a quarter of the total population of 1.5 million in that country.  India is among the top five trading partners of Bahrain. PTI RD RD RD

Double taxation avoidance agreement talks to be launched to eliminate tax uncertainty and boost trade and investment. S Jaishankar and his Bahraini counterpart agreed to advance negotiations on an ambitious trade and investment pact and to develop a common understanding to commence negotiations for a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement aimed at eliminating double taxation, providing tax certainty and promoting cross-border trade and investment, building on recent high-level talks and strengthened bilateral economic ties.