His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of the Kindgom of Bahrain, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister, met Friday with Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense of the United States, at the Pentagon (photo).
The meeting took place as part of His Royal Highness’s official visit to the U.S., HRH Crown Prince’s portal said in a statement.
His Royal Highness reaffirmed the strength and depth of the strategic Bahrain–U.S. partnership, particularly within the military and defence sectors, which spans over 130 years.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad noted that the enduring military and defence cooperation continues to advance through mutual trust, collaboration, and strategic partnerships such as the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), which recently expanded to include the United Kingdom, following an invitation by Bahrain and the United States.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad described C-SIPA as a major step toward encouraging broader regional security integration, strengthening collective deterrence against external threats, and expanding cooperation in commerce, science, and technology with like-minded states in support of peace and prosperity in the Middle East.
HRH the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Prime Minister emphasised the shared commitment to furthering military and defence cooperation to achieve common goals that benefit all.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad also underlined Bahrain’s support for all regional and international efforts aimed at maintaining peace and stability. His Royal Highness commended the pivotal role of the United States, alongside its allies, in upholding regional and global security.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister, expressed his pride in the ongoing progress of the Bahraini-U.S. relations, underscoring the importance of building on the foundation of existing agreements to elevate cooperation to greater heights.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain takes pride in its strong and enduring partnership with the United States. The Kingdom’s historic cooperation with the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet - spanning over eight decades-stands as a testament to this partnership and reflects a steadfast commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at safeguarding maritime security and protecting global shipping lanes.
His Royal Highness further noted that this cooperation, carried out alongside allied armed forces, plays a vital role in advancing regional and global stability, while supporting broader efforts to achieve sustainable development at both the regional and international levels.
During the meeting, avenues to strengthen military and defence cooperation were reviewed, along with discussions on issues of mutual interest and the latest regional and international developments.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense highlighted the strong strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America. He commended Bahrain’s vital role in hosting the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and its active participation in, and hosting of, the Combined Maritime Forces. He also expressed his appreciation for Bahrain’s courageous stances, commitment, and continuous support for peace. He affirmed the United States commitment to strengthen defense cooperation and develop joint defense capabilities with the Kingdom of Bahrain, based on decades of mutual trust and collaboration.
HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Court, and several senior officials also attended the meeting.
Earlier, His Royal Highness met with Donald J. Trump, the President of the United States, at the White House. He affirmed that the USD 17 billion investment package announced during this visit spanning multiple sectors reflects the deep trust and strong ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America, further advancing their strategic partnership.
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad also welcomed the strengthening of ties through joint agreements, such as the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), which was expanded through the inclusion of the United Kingdom following an invitation extended by the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman also met with J. D. Vance, the Vice President of the United States, at the White House. Both sides explored topics of mutual interest and discussed recent regional and international developments, reiterating the importance of working closer together to uphold regional security and stability. (Source & Photo © HRH Crown Prince’s Portal)
