This article covers the Indian community in Bahrain, heritage sites linked to it, cultural agreements and events, youth and sport, and labour cooperation. It is based on the MEA bilateral brief of June 2026.

The Indian community in Bahrain

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, more than 3,15,000 Indian nationals live in Bahrain, comprising nearly a quarter of the total population of 1.5 million. The brief records that there were only 90,000 Indian nationals working in Bahrain in the year 2000, and that the number had increased to over 3,15,427 as of January 2026.

The brief gives the following breakdown by Indian state of origin:

  • 200,000 from Kerala
  • 50,000 from Tamil Nadu
  • 40,000 from Andhra Pradesh & Telangana
  • 25,000 from Karnataka
  • the rest from Punjab, Rajasthan, UP, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat

About 2/3rd of the community are skilled and semi-skilled workers and labourers. The brief also notes a sizeable number of businessmen, CEOs, CFOs, doctors, nurses, engineers, chartered accountants, bankers, managers, teachers and other professionals.

Labour and welfare mechanisms

The two countries signed an MoU on Labour and Manpower Development in June 2009. The 1st meeting of the Joint Committee on Labour and Manpower was held in New Delhi on 08-09 February 2017, between the Joint Secretary, Overseas Indian Affairs-I, Ministry of External Affairs, and the Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain's Labour Market Regulatory Authority. The 2nd meeting is to be held in Bahrain.

In September 2014 an MoU was signed between the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre and the Bahrain India Society.

Little India and places of worship

Bahrain launched the "Little India in Bahrain" project in November 2015 to acknowledge the contribution of the Indian community to the history and progress of Bahrain. Under the project, the exteriors of various buildings and a small public space were restored and renovated.

Bahrain hosts the 200 year-old Shreenathji Temple at the heart of Manama, which the brief describes as the oldest Hindu temple in the region. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the renovation of the temple during his visit in August 2019, and the Bahraini Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning earmarked it as a special project in September 2023. In January 2022 Bahrain approved the allocation of land for a new BAPS Swaminarayan Temple.

Cultural agreements

A Cultural Exchange Programme 2019-2023 was signed during the Prime Minister's visit to Bahrain in 2019. The brief states that a new CEP is under consideration. An Agreement for Media Co-operation between Prasar Bharati and Bahrain Radio & TV Corporation was signed in March 2007.

Anniversaries and cultural events

The Embassy of India marked the Golden Jubilee of diplomatic relations with a series of events in 2021-22. The main event of the Golden Jubilee was held at the renovated "Little India in Bahrain" in October 2021. At the 5th HJC, both sides agreed to prepare for celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.

Recent events recorded in the brief include:

  • the 2nd edition of the "Indo-Bahrain Dance & Music Festival", inaugurated by Minister of State Shri V. Muraleedharan during his visit in May 2023
  • the 3rd edition of the "Indian in Bahrain Festival" on 6 February 2026 at Dana Mall, organised by the Indian Embassy with LuLu Hypermarket and Dana Mall to celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations, with classical and folk dances by Indian community associations
  • the Indian Film Festival at Epix Cinema, Sanabis, on 7 February 2026, which screened The Diplomat (Hindi) and Manjummel Boys (Malayalam) to nearly 300 guests

On 30 April 2025, Mr. Yousif Mohammed Albinkhalil, Undersecretary, Ministry of Information, accompanied by Ms. Noora Mahmood AlDoy, visited India to attend the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, held in Mumbai from 01-04 May 2025.

Youth and sport

The two countries signed an MoU for cooperation in the field of youth and sports in February 2014. Bahrain hosted the 3rd Asian Youth Games in October 2025, in which more than 200 Indian athletes participated.