Exploring Bahrain's Relationship With The Uae: A Unique Dynamic

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are close geographically and historically, and both are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). However, Bahrain is not part of the UAE. Bahrain gained its independence from the UK in 1971, the same year that the UAE was formed.

Bahrain and the UAE are geographically close

Historically, both countries were British protectorates in the 19th century. When the British announced their withdrawal from the region, Bahrain, Qatar, and the seven emirates that currently make up the UAE negotiated to form an independent political union. However, due to administrative disagreements, Bahrain chose to declare independence in August 1971, with the UAE following suit later that year. Despite not becoming part of the UAE, Bahrain and the UAE have maintained close diplomatic and commercial relations. Both countries have embassies in each other's capitals and have signed peace agreements with Israel to counter Iranian aggression in the region.

The proximity between Bahrain and the UAE has made Bahrain an ideal destination for Emiratis seeking quick weekend getaways or longer vacations. UAE nationals do not require a visa to enter Bahrain, contributing to the ease of travel between the two countries. The close proximity and friendly relations between Bahrain and the UAE have fostered strong ties and cooperation between these two geographically close nations.

Both countries are part of the Gulf Cooperation Council

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are two distinct countries that are not part of or governed by one another. However, both countries are part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern countries with shared political and cultural identities rooted in Arab and Islamic cultures. The other members of the GCC are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman.

The GCC was established in 1981 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the purpose of achieving unity and strengthening relations among its members. Both Bahrain and the UAE joined the GCC in 1981 and have maintained close diplomatic and commercial relations since. The GCC promotes cooperation and coordination in various areas, including security and economic policies. For example, in terms of security coordination, the GCC established the Peninsula Shield Force in 1984, a joint military venture based in Saudi Arabia. In the realm of economic coordination, the council has attempted to foster economic union and integrative agreements, although with less momentum compared to policy coordination.

The GCC's highest decision-making entity is the Supreme Council, which consists of the heads of state of its member countries and meets annually. Decisions are made by unanimous approval, and the council is presided over by a rotating presidency, changing each year. The Ministerial Council, comprising foreign ministers or other government officials, meets quarterly to implement the Supreme Council's decisions and propose new policies. Additionally, the GCC has a defence planning council that facilitates military cooperation between its members.

The close relationship between Bahrain and the UAE within the GCC is further exemplified by their shared history. Both countries were British protectorates in the 19th century and engaged in negotiations to form an independent political union when Britain announced its withdrawal from the region. However, due to administrative disagreements, Bahrain chose to declare independence in August 1971, with the UAE following suit later that year. Despite not becoming part of the same union, both countries have embassies in each other's capitals, Manama and Abu Dhabi, respectively, reflecting their close and friendly relations.

They have a shared history as former British protectorates

Bahrain and the UAE have a shared history as former British protectorates. In the early 1820s, the rulers of Bahrain, Salman and Abdullah Al Khalifa, signed an agreement with the British to try and limit piracy in the area. In 1835, the British dictated peace treaties to many of the leaders of the Gulf, including Bahrain, which specified that the rulers would make efforts to stop pirates from operating in the area. The treaty also included a clause to limit the slave trade.

In 1843, Sheikh Abdullah was overthrown by the grandson of Sheikh Salman, Mohammed, who ruled until 1868. During his rule, Mohammed signed a Treaty of Perpetual Peace and Friendship with the British, which offered British protection in return for control over foreign affairs. This treaty was also signed by other Gulf rulers.

In 1921, the British forced Sheikh Isa, who had been installed by them, to relinquish day-to-day control over Bahrain to his son, Hamad. Bahrain then embarked on a policy of modernisation, aided by the appointment of Charles Belgrave as an adviser to the Emir. Together, they established much of Bahrain's infrastructure, including roads, schools, and hospitals. The discovery and exploitation of oil further facilitated this modernisation.

In 1935, the Royal Navy moved its entire Middle Eastern command from Bushire to Bahrain. During World War II, Bahrain became one of only three known sources of oil in the Middle East.

In 1956, at the height of Pan-Arab Nationalism and the Suez Crisis, the British foreign secretary was stoned by protesters in Bahrain, and anti-British riots broke out, resulting in several deaths. These riots were serious enough for British troops to be deployed.

In the 1960s, the British announced their withdrawal from the region east of Suez. As a result, the seven emirates that currently make up the UAE, along with Qatar and Bahrain, entered into negotiations to form an independent political union. However, due to administrative disagreements, Bahrain withdrew from these negotiations and declared independence in August 1971, with the UAE following later that year.

Thus, Bahrain and the UAE shared a common history as British protectorates for much of the 19th and 20th centuries, with both gaining independence in 1971.

Bahrain and the UAE have embassies in each other's countries

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have embassies in each other's countries. The UAE has an embassy in Manama, Bahrain, while Bahrain maintains its embassy in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

Both countries are geographically located in the Persian Gulf and share a common history as former British protectorates. They have close diplomatic and commercial relations, and both are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

In 2020, Bahrain and the UAE signed peace agreements with Israel, known as the Abraham Accords, to counter Iranian aggression in the region. Additionally, in 2021, Bahrain and the UAE restored relations with Qatar, ending a years-long boycott over political disputes.

The current Bahraini ambassador to the UAE is Mohamed bin Hamad Saqer Al Moawda, and the Emirati ambassador to Bahrain is Abdullredha Abdulla Al-Khoori.

Both signed peace agreements with Israel in 2020

Bahrain and the UAE have long shared close relations. Both countries are geographically located in the Persian Gulf and were British protectorates in the 19th century. In 1971, they negotiated to form an independent political union, but Bahrain pulled out due to administrative disagreements and declared independence. Despite this, the two countries have maintained close diplomatic and commercial relations and are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

In late 2020, Bahrain and the UAE signed peace agreements with Israel, known as the Abraham Accords. The agreements were mediated by the United States and marked a significant shift in the balance of power in the Middle East. By normalizing ties and focusing on business, trade, and travel, these "warm peace" agreements went beyond the often tenuous "cold peace" that Egypt and Jordan had established with Israel decades prior.

The Abraham Accords carried several implications. Firstly, they provided opportunities for trade and economic benefits for all parties involved. Secondly, they lessened Israel's regional isolation and strengthened its position against Iran, a common enemy of Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain. Thirdly, they were a foreign policy coup for then-US President Donald Trump, bolstering his "`maximum pressure` strategy on Iran" and appealing to his electoral base. Finally, the agreements impacted the Palestinian cause, as they broke the long-standing Arab consensus that normal relations with Israel were contingent on Palestinian independence.

The signing of the Abraham Accords on September 15, 2020, was a historic event hosted by US President Trump at the White House. The agreements were signed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. The ceremony was elaborately staged to evoke the grandeur of significant treaties of the past.

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