Bahrain-Saudi Arabia: A Complex Relationship Explained

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have a long-standing relationship that is both close and friendly. Both countries are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and are Sunni monarchies with a Sunni and Shiite population. In 2021, Saudi Arabia was Bahrain's biggest export customer, importing goods worth $140 million in October of that year alone. The two countries have strong reciprocal trade and tourism links, with Saudis accounting for 88% of Bahrain's visitors in 2019. They also routinely coordinate their actions under the GCC umbrella and work together in various fields, including security and military cooperation.

The two countries are close and friendly, with a historical relationship

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have long enjoyed close and friendly relations, with strong economic and political ties. Both countries are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and have a historical relationship that has been strengthened over time through various initiatives and agreements.

The two countries have a history of cooperation and collaboration, particularly in the economic sphere. In recent years, they have worked together to boost their economies, with a focus on the oil and gas sector, trade, and tourism. The King Fahd Causeway, for example, has been instrumental in strengthening relations and facilitating travel and trade between the two countries. The causeway has contributed significantly to Bahrain's economy, with forecasts estimating a contribution of $2.9 billion in 2021 alone.

The Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council serves as a platform to enhance their relationship further. During the council's second meeting in 2021, chaired by the Crown Princes of both countries, several initiatives were agreed upon to strengthen coordination and consultation in security, military, and cybersecurity. Additionally, they discussed facilitating the transit of goods and travellers through their borders and air and land ports.

The historical and fraternal relations between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were emphasised during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Bahrain in 2021. The visit aimed to bolster ties and enhance cooperation between the two kingdoms. Saudi Arabia is Bahrain's biggest export customer, importing Bahraini goods worth $140 million in October 2021.

The two countries also collaborate in the energy sector, with Bahrain recognising Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in overcoming global energy supply challenges. They emphasise the importance of supporting innovation in the energy industry through collaborative technological development.

Both are Sunni monarchies with a Sunni and Shiite population

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are both Sunni monarchies with a population comprising Sunnis and Shiites. This shared religious and political system has influenced the close and friendly relations between the two countries.

During the Arab Spring, when long-serving strongmen were toppled across the Middle East, the Bahraini monarchy faced an uprising that threatened its power. Citing fears of Iranian influence, Bahrain invoked the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) agreement on defence, inviting Saudi forces to suppress the rebellion. This marked the first internal use of the GCC's defence agreement. Saudi Arabia's intervention was also motivated by a desire to prevent the spread of discontent within its own territories.

The two countries have a history of cooperation, as demonstrated by their joint actions under the GCC umbrella and their coordination at the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the UN, and various international bodies.

The King Fahd Causeway, opened in 1986, has played a significant role in strengthening the relationship between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The causeway has facilitated trade and tourism, with Saudis accounting for 88% of Bahrain's visitors. In October 2021, Saudi Arabia imported Bahraini goods worth $140 million, making it the island kingdom's biggest export customer.

The two countries have also collaborated in the energy sector, with Saudi Arabia recognising its pivotal role in overcoming global energy supply challenges. They have emphasised the importance of supporting innovation in the energy industry through collaborative technological development.

They are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are both members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This is significant as it underscores the close and friendly relations between the two countries, which are both Sunni monarchies with a diverse population of Sunnis and Shiites.

The GCC provides a framework for cooperation and coordination between its member states, including in the areas of security and military defence. This was particularly evident during the Arab Spring when Bahrain, fearing Iranian influence and facing a rebellion that threatened its monarchy, invoked the GCC agreement on defence and invited Saudi forces to suppress the uprising. This marked the first internal use of the GCC's defence pact.

The two countries routinely work together under the GCC umbrella, aligning with the bloc's strategic goals and striving for integration in various fields. Their economic ties are strong, with Saudi Arabia being Bahrain's biggest export customer, importing Bahraini goods worth $140 million in October 2021 alone. The King Fahd Causeway, which connects the two countries, has facilitated trade and tourism, contributing significantly to Bahrain's economy.

In addition to the GCC, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia also coordinate their actions in other international organisations like the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the UN. Their close relationship is further exemplified by Saudi Arabia's support for Bahrain's economic plans and fiscal reforms, including through financial packages.

Saudi Arabia is Bahrain's biggest export customer

Saudi Arabia is Bahrain's closest ally in the region. Both countries are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and have close political and economic ties. In December 2021, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Bahrain's ruler, King Hamad, to discuss historical and fraternal relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing cooperation.

The two countries have also worked together to combat the pandemic, signing a memorandum of understanding to launch a "health passport" to ensure that citizens and residents travelling between the countries meet the criteria set by both countries to combat the spread of the virus.

In addition to economic ties, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain also have a close political relationship. During the Arab Spring, Bahrain's monarchy invited Saudi forces to suppress a rebellion, citing fears of Iranian influence. This was the first case of the GCC agreement on defence being used internally, and it demonstrated the close ties between the two countries.

The strong relationship between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain extends beyond economic and political interests. Saudis accounted for 88% of Bahrain’s visitors in 2019, with most traveling via the King Fahd Causeway, which connects the two countries. The causeway is considered one of the most significant construction achievements in the region and has helped to strengthen relations between the two nations.

The two countries have strong economic and tourism ties

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have long enjoyed strong economic and tourism ties. In December 2021, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Bahrain as part of a tour of Gulf states, aiming to bolster relations between the two kingdoms. The two countries have a history of reciprocal trade, with Saudi Arabia being the biggest importer of Bahraini goods, totalling $140 million in October 2021 alone. The reopening of the King Fahd Causeway in March 2021, after its closure during the pandemic, has significantly boosted their economic relationship.

The causeway, which connects the two countries, has facilitated trade and tourism, with Saudis accounting for 88% of Bahrain's visitors. In 2019, Bahrain attracted nearly 11 million visitors, including 9 million tourists, with most Saudis travelling via the causeway. The two countries also work together to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing a "health passport" to ensure safe travel between the two nations.

In addition to tourism, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have strong economic ties in various industries, particularly the oil and gas sector. They also collaborate in the fields of security and military cooperation, cybersecurity, and transportation. The Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council serves as a platform to enhance cooperation and strengthen their bilateral relations.

The historical and fraternal relations between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are underpinned by their shared status as Sunni monarchies with both Sunni and Shiite populations. They are also members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which has provided a framework for coordination and cooperation between the two countries, particularly during times of regional upheaval, such as the Arab Spring.

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