A Day of Gulf Unity
HRH Crown Prince hosts GCC delegations and India's top Orthodox leader
HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held a series of high-profile meetings at Gudaibiya Palace, spanning Gulf cooperation and interfaith diplomacy, as Bahrain continues hosting GCC meetings under its presidency of the 46th Supreme Council session, the "Bahrain Summit."
HRH Prince Salman met heads of delegations attending three concurrent GCC gatherings—on civil service, labour and social affairs—alongside GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi. He reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment, under HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, to strengthening joint Gulf cooperation. He also called for a deeper exchange of expertise in labour, social development and civil service to translate GCC leaders' aspirations into tangible progress. Delegation heads conveyed greetings from GCC leaders and thanked Bahrain for its continued commitment to regional integration.
A Historic Interfaith Welcome
In a separate audience, HRH the Crown Prince received His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Supreme Head of the Indian Orthodox Church, highlighting Bahrain's deep-rooted tradition of religious tolerance and coexistence under King Hamad's leadership. His Holiness praised the Kingdom's role as a global model of pluralism.
Golden Residency for a Spiritual Leader
In a landmark gesture, Bahrain conferred its prestigious Golden Residency on His Holiness, presented personally by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad. The honour, marking a proud moment for the global Malankara Orthodox Church and Bahrain's Indian community, coincided with His Holiness's visit to preside over the 68th annual parish feast at St. Mary's Indian Orthodox Cathedral in Manama. His Holiness thanked King Hamad and the Crown Prince, calling Bahrain a beacon of religious freedom and coexistence.
Both meetings were attended by Minister of the Prime Minister's Court Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and senior officials, with Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa also present for the GCC talks.
Ashen Tharaka
Multimedia Journalist
Ashen Tharaka is a multimedia journalist with over 15 years of experience in Sri Lanka and Bahrain. He specialises in diplomatic and geopolitical reporting, while covering a wide range of news and current affairs.
Known for his one-minute storytelling format on social media, Ashen also creates digital content for international events and produces informative content on global geopolitical issues.