Indian Prime Minister visits Egypt after 26 years

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Egypt on June 24-25 to strengthen and develop strategic relations between the two countries in various fields. This is the first official visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Egypt since 1997.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi (L) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting in New Delhi, India, January 25, 2023. (Source: Reuters)

During his two-day visit from June 24-26, the Indian Prime Minister met with President Abdel Fatteh El-Sisi to discuss political and economic relations between the two countries. This is Modi's first official visit and the first official visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Egypt since 1997.

Egypt has a unique geostrategic position lying on the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal, making the North African country an integral part of India's Indo- Pacific strategy as well as India's strategy towards Africa.

Indian Ambassador to Cairo Ajit Gupte on June 24 affirmed that Prime Minister Modi's visit to Cairo will give new impetus to the multifaceted relationship between the two countries. According to Mr. Gupte, the visit takes place in the context of the unprecedented development of relations between Cairo and New Delhi at all levels since Mr. El-Sisi assumed the position of President of Egypt in 2014.

Egypt-India relations were upgraded to a “strategic partnership” during El-Sisi’s official visit to New Delhi in January 2023 as the chief guest at India’s 74th Republic Day celebrations. On this occasion, President El-Sisi and Prime Minister Modi announced that they would increase bilateral trade to $12 billion in the next five years.

Egypt is one of India's most important trading partners in Africa. According to official Egyptian figures, trade between Egypt and India increased by 13.7% in 2022 compared to the previous year to $6 billion.

More than 50 Indian companies are currently operating in Egypt with a total investment of $3.15 billion, providing direct employment to about 38,000 Egyptian workers. There are currently about 3,600 Indian citizens living, studying and working in Egypt.

In addition, India and Egypt are also stepping up cooperation in the defense sector. In January 2023, the two militaries held a joint exercise in Jaisalmer, India, to enhance cooperation and share skills in desert warfare, counter-terrorism, reconnaissance and other special operations.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thu-tuong-an-do-tham-chinh-thuc-ai-cap-sau-26-nam-232243.html