Foreign relations of the Bahamas


The Bahamas has strong bilateral relationships with the United Kingdom, represented by a High Commissioner in London. The Bahamas also associates closely with other nations of the Caribbean Community.
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas became a member of the United Nations in 1973 and the Organization of American States in 1956.

The Bahamas and the Commonwealth of Nations

The Bahamas has been an independent Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of The Bahamas since 1973.
The Queen is represented locally by the Governor-General of the Bahamas.

Bilateral relations

CountryFormal Relations BeganNotes
2017
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 September 2017.
10 July 1973
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 July 1973.
  • Both countries are full members of the Association of Caribbean States and the Commonwealth of Nations.
  • The Commonwealth of Bahamas is accredited to Barbados through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nassau, and an Honorary Consulate at St. James in Barbados.
  • Barbados is accredited to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bridgetown, and an Honorary Consulate in New Providence.
  • Bahamas has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Belgium is accredited to the Bahamas from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
    • 21 September 1981
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 September 1981.
  • Both countries are full members of the Organization of American States and of the Caribbean Community.
  • Bahamas has a non-resident ambassador to Brazil based in Nassau.
  • Brazil has an embassy in Nassau.
    • 1973
  • Bahamas has a high commission in Ottawa.
  • Canada is accredited to the Bahamas from its high commission in Kingston, Jamaica and maintains an honorary consulate in Nassau.
    • 23 May 1997See Bahamas–China relations
  • Bahamas has an embassy in Beijing.
  • China has an embassy in Nassau.
    • 30 November 1974See Bahamas–Cuba relationsA repatriation agreement was signed with Cuba in 1996, and there are commercial and cultural contacts between the two countries.
    • Bahamas has an embassy in Havana.
    • Cuba has an embassy in Nassau.
    10 July 1973
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 July 1973.
  • Both countries are full members of the Organization of American States, of the Caribbean Community and of the Commonwealth of Nations.
    • See Bahamas–Haiti relationsPrime Minister Hubert Minnis visited Port-au-Prince to discuss stemming Illegal Immigration from Haiti and a trade deal selling Haitian Agricultural Products to The Bahamas.
    • Bahamas has an embassy in Port-au-Prince.
    • Haiti has an embassy in Nassau.
    See Bahamas–India relations
  • Bahamas is accredited to India from its
  • India is accredited to the Bahamas from its high commission in Kingston, Jamaica.
    • 24 January 1974See Bahamas–Mexico relations
  • Bahamas is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
  • Mexico is accredited to the Bahamas from its embassy in Kingston, Jamaica and maintains an honorary consulate in Nassau.
    • 14 January 2004The two countries signed accords on diplomatic relations on January 14, 2004. Since both countries have signed a joint communiqué, Sergey Lavrov states that the Bahamas and Russia decided to sign diplomatic missions on the Ambassadorial level. Both countries are members of the United Nations. Russia is represented in the Bahamas through its embassy in New York City.
    July 1988
    • Both countries have established diplomatic relations in July 1988.
    • A number of bilateral agreements have been concluded and are in force between both countries.
    8 July 1985Diplomatic relations between the Bahamas and South Korea were established on 8 July 1985.
    10 July 1973
    • Bahamas has a high commission in London.
    • United Kingdom has a high commission in Nassau.
    1973See Bahamas–United States relationsThe Bahamas and the United States historically have had close economic and commercial relations. The countries share ethnic and cultural ties, especially in education; The Bahamas is home to approximately 30,000 American residents. In addition, there are about 110 U.S.-related businesses in The Bahamas and, in 2005, 87% of the 5 million tourists visiting The Bahamas were American.
    As a neighbour, The Bahamas and its political stability are especially important to the United States. The U.S. and the Bahamian governments have worked together on reducing crime and addressing migration issues. With the closest island only 45 miles from the coast of Florida, The Bahamas often is used as a gateway for drugs and illegal aliens bound for the United States. The United States and The Bahamas cooperate closely to handle these threats.
    U.S. assistance and resources have been essential to Bahamian efforts to mitigate the persistent flow of illegal narcotics and migrants through the archipelago. The United States and The Bahamas also actively cooperate on law enforcement, civil aviation, marine research, meteorology, and agricultural issues. The U.S. Navy operates an underwater research facility on Andros Island.
    The Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Customs and Border Protection maintains "preclearance" facilities at the airports in Nassau and Freeport. Travelers to the U.S. are interviewed and inspected before departure, allowing faster connection times in the U.S.
    • Bahamas has an embassy in Washington, D.C. and consulates-general in Atlanta, Miami and New York City.
    • United States has an embassy in Nassau.

    Multilateral membership

    The Bahamas holds membership in a number of international organizations: the UN and some specialized and related agencies, including Food and Agriculture Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, International Labour Organization, International Monetary Fund, International Telecommunication Union, World Bank, World Meteorological Organization, and World Health Organization ; OAS and related agencies, including Inter-American Development Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, and Pan-American Health Organization ; the Caribbean Community, excluding its Caribbean Single Market and Economy; the International Criminal Police Organization - Interpol; Universal Postal Union ; the IMO ; and World Intellectual Property Organization.