Bahrain's Crown Prince meets British PM to discuss trade and security

Resuming talks on a free-trade deal and the crisis in Gaza were top of the agenda between the two leaders

Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Crown Prince, shakes hands with Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister, outside No 10 Downing Street on Tuesday. Bloomberg

Deeper trade ties, Red Sea shipping and the Israel-Gaza crisis were top of the agenda in the first meeting between Bahrain's Crown Prince and Britain's new Prime Minister.

Keir Starmer greeted the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, outside No 10 Downing Street on Tuesday, before ushering him inside for talks.

During the talks, Mr Starmer made his personal commitment to the UK-Bahrain bilateral relationship, with both leaders looking to strengthen areas of shared co-operation, particularly in trade, investment, security and defence.

The UK Prime Minister also thanked the Crown Prince for Bahrain’s efforts in protecting shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks and its commitment to wider regional security.

The pair discussed the continuing crisis in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, with Mr Starmer emphasising the urgent need for a ceasefire, return of hostages and an immediate increase in the volume of humanitarian aid reaching civilians.

“Both leaders agreed that regional security was paramount and the Prime Minister reiterated the necessity for restraint from all parties to prevent further escalation,” No 10 said. “They also looked forward to working closely and agreed to stay in touch.”

Crown Prince Salman also “noted the significance” of Mr Starmer’s first major speech as Prime Minister on Tuesday, in which he warned the economic situation in Britain would “get worse before it gets better”.

“Both agreed that growth was essential to ensure prosperity,” No 10 said.

The two leaders said they held fruitful talks. EPA

The two leaders met following reports that the Labour government is eager to resume talks towards securing a free-trade agreement with the Gulf Co-operation Council and other regional countries.

For Britain, the world’s fourth-largest exporter in 2022 to the tune of £855 billion ($1.13 trillion) and with growth central to Mr Starmer's economic strategy, international trade has become a priority.

A new UK trade strategy will soon be launched to deliver its growth mission and will begin with a new round of free-trade talks with the GCC – made up of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – that ended after a sixth session in February.

The new Labour government expects the next round to take place this year, with both sides “committed to securing an ambitious, comprehensive and modern agreement fit for the 21st century”, a government statement said.

The GCC and the UK already have a trade relationship under which, as of 2021, at least £19 billion had been invested in each other’s economies, with total trade of about £59 billion.