page_title: Foreign relations of Bahrain
section_title: Bilateral relations
hierarchical_section_title: Foreign relations of Bahrain / Bilateral relations
caption_attribution_description: English: The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Norfolk (SSN 714) leads a formation of vessels through the North Arabian Sea April 17, 2008, during Arabian Shark '08, a joint exercise between Pakistan, Bahrain and the United States focused on antisubmarine warfare. DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ryan Steinhour, U.S. Navy.
context_page_description: Bahrain plays a modest, moderating role in regional politics and adheres to the views of the Arab League on Middle East peace and Palestinian rights. Since achieving independence in 1971, Bahrain has maintained friendly relations with most of its neighbours and with the world community. It generally pursues a policy of close consultation with neighbouring states and works to narrow areas of disagreement.
  Bahrain is a member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, established on May 26, 1981 with five other Persian Gulf states. The country has fully complied with steps taken by the GCC to coordinate economic development and defense and security planning. In December 1994, it concurred with the GCC decision to drop secondary and tertiary boycotts against Israel. In many instances, it has established special bilateral trade agreements.
  The country's foreign minister is Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, a career diplomat. Educated in the United States, as a student Sheikh Khaled was a member of US President Jimmy Carter's 1980 presidential campaign team.
caption: April 17, 2008: Arabian Shark '08 in process, a joint exercise between the navies of Pakistan, Bahrain and the United States, focusing on antisubmarine warfare.
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