Next week’s three-day visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to India is intended to strengthen the “time-tested” friendship between the two nations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The 68-year-old influential Arab leader is slated to visit India from January 24 to 26. During his stay, he will engage in extensive discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attend the Republic Day celebrations, and connect with members of the business community.
Following the talks between Modi and Sisi on January 25, India and Egypt are scheduled to sign approximately six agreements to increase cooperation in the areas of agriculture, cybersecurity, and information technology (IT).
The intensification of defense and security cooperation is anticipated to be the main emphasis of the talks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Sisi will be accompanied by a high-level delegation consisting of five ministers and senior officials.
Prior to his state visit in September 2016, the Egyptian president visited India in October 2015 to participate in the third India-Africa Forum Summit.
The Egyptian president has been invited as the primary guest to India’s Republic Day celebrations for the first time. An Egyptian Army military unit will also participate in the Republic Day parade.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that Sisi will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 25 and that President Droupadi Murmu will hold a state dinner in his honor that same evening.
“President Sisi will meet with the Prime Minister for bilateral, regional, and global topics of mutual interest,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement.
Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar will also visit Sisi.
“The upcoming visit of President Sisi is anticipated to further enhance and deepen the time-tested cooperation between India and Egypt,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
India is eager to strengthen its ties with Egypt, a major participant in the politics of both the Arab and African worlds. It is also considered a vital gateway to African and European markets.
According to the MEA, the complex relationship between the two nations is founded on shared cultural values, a commitment to promote economic growth, collaboration in the domains of defense and security, and convergence on regional and global concerns.
It was stated that the two nations collaborate on multilateral and international platforms. In recent years, there has also been an increase in bilateral commerce.
According to the MEA, commerce between India and Egypt reached a “historic high” of USD 7.26 billion in 2021–22. “The trade was fairly balanced, with Indian exports to Egypt totaling USD 3.74 billion and Egyptian imports to India totaling USD 3.52 billion,” it stated.
