His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, may God protect him, arrived in his second home, the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt, on August 5, 2026, for a visit during which he met with his brother, His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The meeting addressed the close fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries and the most prominent regional and international developments of mutual interest. The visit garnered significant attention and celebration at both the official and popular levels, and was highlighted by all Egyptian media outlets. For example, Al-Ahram, Egypt’s most widely circulated newspaper, chose the headline “Egypt and Bahrain: A Strategic Partnership and Coordination of Arab Positions” for its online news page.

Indeed, while the Gulf region holds a special place in Egyptian foreign policy, Egyptian-Bahraini relations possess a distinct character. This is reflected in several indicators, not only in the warm receptions exchanged during official visits, but also in the shared positions adopted, which affirmed their common destiny and enduring interests. The call made by His Majesty the King to his brother, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a few days before the visit, to express His Majesty’s solidarity with Egypt following the earthquake, served as a testament to the Kingdom’s support for Egypt in facing all challenges. This call was met with praise and appreciation at both the official and popular levels. Furthermore, during the current visit, His Majesty reiterated the Kingdom of Bahrain’s condemnation of the attack on Damietta Port and its full solidarity with Egypt, supporting all measures taken by Egypt to protect its sovereignty, security, and vital infrastructure. Meanwhile, His Excellency President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi expressed Egypt’s condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom’s territory and its support for the measures taken by Bahrain to protect its security, stability, and sovereignty.

Egypt’s position was also supportive of the security and stability of the Kingdom of Bahrain during President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s two visits to his second home, the Kingdom of Bahrain, during the recent events (March and July 2026). These visits received significant attention from the Egyptian media. The State Information Service of Egypt issued a statement regarding President al-Sisi’s July 2026 visit, titled “President al-Sisi Pays a Fraternal Visit to Bahrain to Affirm Egypt’s Full Solidarity with the Kingdom.” During this visit, President al-Sisi affirmed that “the security of Arab states is an extension of Egyptian national security,” and that Egypt “supports the security and stability of the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain.”

In fact, there are numerous other positions and statements exchanged, and the above is just one example. In my view, the most recent visit can be interpreted from five perspectives. First: The timing, given the continued shared challenges arising from recent developments.

Second: The increased frequency of high-level political communications between the two countries and their implications demonstrate their commitment to strengthening and developing their strategic partnership in a turbulent region, reaffirming that the security of the Arabian Gulf is an integral part of Egyptian national security.

Third: The reciprocal visits during these recent developments underscore the two countries’ shared stance of rejecting foreign interference in the internal affairs of states and respecting their sovereignty, as well as rejecting any aggression against their territories, in accordance with international charters that enshrine these principles.

Fourth: The two countries’ efforts to support the Palestinian cause. The Kingdom of Bahrain chaired and hosted the 33rd Arab Summit in 2024 and actively participated in the emergency summit, the “Palestine Summit,” chaired by Egypt in 2025. Both summits resulted in significant support for the Palestinian cause through impactful Bahraini initiatives. Egypt, for its part, hosted the Sharm El-Sheikh Conference to sign the document ending the war in Gaza in 2025.

Fifth: Both countries recognize the imperative of consultation within a rapidly changing regional environment. While other frameworks for consultation and cooperation exist, such as the League of Arab States, bilateral meetings—or what is known as “summit diplomacy”—remain a crucial mechanism for exchanging visions and ideas between two countries firmly convinced of their shared destiny and the diversity and multiplicity of their interests across all economic and educational fields.

The distinctive nature of Egyptian-Bahraini relations—evident in the number of high-level visits, the various aspects of the partnership, and the shared understandings—confirms their status as a model to be emulated. These relations contribute to supporting, strengthening, and developing the Arab national security system, of which the Arabian Gulf is the core of its interactions and the foundation of its stability in both the short and long term. This is particularly relevant given the rapidly evolving regional and global landscape, which necessitates increased coordination at both the bilateral and collective levels.

Note: This article has been automatically translated, the full article is available in Arabic.

Dr. Ashraf Mohammed Keshk, Director of International and Strategic Studies Program