Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on January 25, 2023.
New Delhi: India announced today of elevating its bilateral partnership with Egypt to the level of “strategic partnership”. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said the decision to this effect was taken by him and the visiting Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi, in course of their meeting here today. Sisi is attending our Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest. A military contingent from Egypt is also participating in our Republic Day parade.
“Under the India-Egypt Strategic Partnership, we will develop a long-term framework of greater cooperation in political, security, economic and scientific fields,” Modi said, adding that strategic cooperation between the two countries will help promote peace and prosperity in the entire region.
Modi said India and Egypt are worried about the spread of terrorism happening around the world. “We are unanimous in the opinion that terrorism is the most serious security threat to humanity. Both countries also agree that concerted action is necessary to end cross-border terrorism. And for this, together we will continue to try to alert the international community,” he added.
Modi highlighted the “immense potential” for enhancing security and defence cooperation between India and Egypt. He referred to the significant increase in joint exercise training and capacity building between Indian and Egyptian armies. “We have also decided in today’s meeting to further strengthen cooperation between our defence industries, and enhance the exchange of information and intelligence related to counter-terrorism,” he said. He also pointed at the misuse of cyberspace to spread extremist ideologies and radicalization and termed it a growing menace. “We will extend cooperation against this also,” he said.
This year, India has also invited Egypt as a guest country during its G-20 Presidency. Modi said this reflects India’s “special friendship” with Egypt. “Our cooperation has deepened in the last few years. And for this, I would like to give huge credit to the able leadership of my friend President Sisi,” he said.
Modi also commended Egypt for successfully hosting COP-27, and for its efforts to ensure the interests of developing countries in the climate sector.
