Sisi: Egypt, India agree to intensify political, security, economic cooperation

CAIRO – 26 January 2023: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said that his talks with the Indian leaders have agreed on intensifying coordination and cooperation on political and security topics, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said on Thursday.

In a speech at a dinner banquet hosted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Sisi said his talks with the Indian president and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also agreed on maximizing mutual interests in the infrastructure sector as well as various economic and industrial fields.

“My visit to your dear country has come at a time when our bilateral relations see a tangible leap in all forms of cooperation, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and India,” Sisi stated.

The leaders have also agreed on expanding the frameworks of communication between the Egyptian and Indian peoples through the enhancement of tourism cooperation and boosting the chances of cultural and scientific exchange, Sisi said.

In addition, they agreed on encouraging educational expertise transference, developing technical skills of youth, and encouraging airlines in the two countries to operate direct flights between the different Egyptian and Indian cities, Sisi added.

“This visit has represented an important opportunity to continue consultations and exchange views with your excellency [President Murmu] and the prime minister, not only on ways to improve cooperation between our two countries at all levels, but also to coordinate positions on regional and global issues that have a direct impact on our national security,” Sisi stated.

He added that the consensus in viewpoints between the Egyptian and Indian sides expressed during the talks “reflects a firm belief in the necessity to continue solidarity to achieve our mutual goals in the various fields based on the historical ties and the huge capabilities that Egypt and India enjoy”.

Sisi also shed light on the two countries’ determination to advance their bilateral relations to the level of strategic cooperation and to coordinate on various issues of mutual concern.

“The importance of our meeting today increases in view of the international polarization the world is witnessing, which has severe negative consequences for all peoples,” Sisi said.

He added that this makes it imperative for the developing countries to come together to face common challenges and emerging international crises, including the energy and food crises.