Indian Strategic Partnership with Egypt: Modi Deepens Ties with el-Sisi

Indian PM Narendra Modi and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Image Credit: Google

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a rare visit to Cairo, where he met with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Both leaders pledged to deepen their strategic partnership, signing a joint declaration to elevate their relations, which was initially announced in January during el-Sisi's visit to New Delhi.

Boosting Investment and Bilateral Talks:

Modi and el-Sisi agreed to enhance India's investment in Egypt, focusing on areas such as:

• Trade and investment,
• Renewable Energy,
• Information Technology, and
• Pharmaceuticals.

The bilateral talks also included:

• Cooperation in the G-20,
• Emphasizing issues like food and energy insecurity,
• Climate Change,
• The importance of the Global South having a united voice, and
• Defence and security ties.

Strengthening Relations and Developing Indian Investments:

During Modi's visit, President el-Sisi welcomed him at the presidential palace and presented him with Egypt's highest honor, the Order of the Nile.

The two leaders expressed their mutual commitment to strengthening relations, including:

• Increasing high-level visits,
• Establishing direct flights between the capitals, and
• Developing Indian investments in Egypt.

This could potentially involve a dedicated land area for Indian industries in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.

Growing Trade Cooperation and Historic Visit:

India is already Egypt's seventh-largest trading partner, with trade reaching $7 billion in the previous year.

Modi's visit marks the first state visit by an Indian prime minister to Egypt in over two decades.

The visit aims to bolster trade cooperation and expand the range of Egyptian products imported by India.

The countries also agreed on various trade-related fields, including crude oil, liquefied natural gas, cotton, and inorganic chemicals.

Cultural and Historical Engagements/Agreements:

During his visit, Modi visited Cairo's Al-Hakim Mosque, which was recently renovated with assistance from the India-based Dawoodi Bohra community.

He also paid tribute to Indian soldiers buried in the Heliopolis War Cemetery, who lost their lives during World War I.

Additionally, agreements were signed between the two governments in areas such as:

• Agriculture,
• Archaeology,
• Antiquities, and
• Competition law.

(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)