Three Nations, One Vision

A New Era of Cooperation 

C-SIPA, originally signed in Washington, D.C., on September 13, 2023, by HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, is designed to foster collaboration across defense, security, science, technology, and trade. The agreement reflects a shared vision for a more secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East.  

The inclusion of the United Kingdom signifies a step forward in broadening this framework to integrate like-minded nations in pursuing shared goals such as deterrence, economic growth, de-escalation of regional conflicts, and the advancement of technology.  

Dr. Abdullatif Al Zayani emphasized the strategic importance of this pact, stating, “Our collective stance is the stability of the region.” Echoing this sentiment, Barbara Leaf highlighted the agreement’s potential in driving innovation and collaboration, particularly in advanced technology and artificial intelligence, stating, “We had effective discussions with officials regarding AI and advanced technology. Our government is ready to support this collaboration.”  

Hamish Falconer MP described the agreement as a transformational opportunity, noting that the outcomes of this joint commitment “will be fruitful shortly.”  

Bahrain’s Vision 

During an interaction with the Daily Tribune, His Excellency Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Ambassador to the United States, reflected on the historic nature of the trilateral agreement. “This is the first time three countries are coming together under this framework. It will provide more platforms for regional and international collaboration,” he said.  

He expressed optimism for the pact’s potential to inspire other nations to join, stating, “The value of this agreement will create tangible benefits throughout society. Success stories will follow as more countries see the advantages of joining.”  

The ambassador also highlighted the transformative impact of C-SIPA, including opportunities in trade, finance, and technology, which would greatly benefit the three nations.  

H.E. Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Kingdom, highlighted the 10th anniversary of the signing of the maritime facilities agreement in Juffair for the Royal Navy. He described this as a transformative agreement that has significantly strengthened bilateral relations between Bahrain and the UK.

The Ambassador also noted that the agreement encompasses a broader scope, including trade, finance, and technology, which will benefit all three nations involved in the trilateral partnership. He explained that the agreement will now be presented to the parliament for a 21-day review period, after which the government will proceed with the next steps, told to the Daily Tribune. 

This trilateral agreement underscores the commitment of these nations to foster mutual growth and address common challenges in an increasingly interconnected world.  With the signing of C-SIPA, the United States, Bahrain, and the United Kingdom have set a strong precedent for regional and international cooperation 

As part of the next phase of the agreement, U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain Steven C. Bondy stressed the importance of expanding the pact to include other nations. "While the core focus of C-SIPA is on defense, security, trade, science, and technology, it’s crucial that countries from the region choose to join this framework," Bondy said during a press meeting. "Conversations are ongoing, and we are hopeful that more nations will see the value in this multilateral approach."

One key area of focus for the trilateral partnership is geospatial technology and satellite-driven solutions to combat climate change and improve maritime safety. The United States and Bahrain are already preparing for a delegation visit to discuss the next phase of the Geo-Spatial Accelerator initiative, which will help monitor environmental impacts, including the protection of undersea internet cables critical for data connectivity in the region.