US Bahrain Defense & Trade Pact Announced

The Biden Administration has announced the “Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement” (C-SIPA) with Bahrain. This pact aims to strengthen various domains including defense, security, trade, and technology.

Building on the momentum gathered from discussions at the 2022 Jeddah Summit, C-SIPA is seen as a strategic step forward. This agreement comes on the heels of the economic corridor announcement at the G20 summit.

Under C-SIPA, the US aims to:

• Strengthen defense and security cooperation, focusing on mutual intelligence capacity-building and integrating regional air and missile defense systems.
• Enhance trade and investment ties, building on the existing US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement.
• Encourage infrastructure investments and supply chain resilience.
• Develop and deploy trusted technologies in the digital and ICT sectors, marking a critical step in today's global security landscape.

 The bilateral relationship between the United States and Bahrain is steeped in history, with ties dating back to the 19th century, with sustained military collaboration. Bahrain has long hosted the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet and has played a crucial role in maintaining regional stability.  Bahrain is the first in the region to procure and integrate advanced weaponry like the F-16 Block-70 fighter jets and collaborating on innovative naval projects, including the deployment of unmanned surface vessels.

The US and Bahrain enjoy a Free Trade Agreement that has tripled bilateral trade since 2006. They have announced plans to initiate direct flights by 2024 and commitments to explore cooperation in clean energy transition through small modular reactors (SMRs).

The dialogue also encompassed governance and human rights discussions, emphasizing the importance of universal values and human rights in fostering a constructive partnership.

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