Egypt, India call for zero-tolerance against terrorism and its sponsors: Joint statement

CAIRO – 26 January 2023: Egypt and India have called for “zero tolerance” against terrorism and those who encourage, support, or fund it as well as those who provide safe havens for terrorists, whatever their motives.

A joint statement issued during Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s current visit to India affirmed that Sisi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their concern of the spread of terrorism worldwide.

The leaders agreed that terrorism represents one of the most dangerous security threats on humanity, condemning the use of terrorism as a tool of foreign policy.

They called for the international community to coordinate its work with the aim of eliminating all forms and manifestations of terrorism, including transborder terrorism.

They reiterated their condemnation of efforts of using religion by countries or groups to justify, support, or sponsor terrorism against other countries.

Both leaders called for all countries to work to uproot terrorist networks and their safe havens, eliminate terrorism infrastructure and its financing channels, and prevent the movement of terrorists across the borders.

Sisi and Modi affirmed their joint determination to enhance the values of peace and tolerance and to make concerted efforts to combat terrorism and ideologies that incite violence and extremism.

They stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism and violent extremism, which should include combating the religious centers’ use of the Internet and social media to radicalize youth and recruit terrorist cadres.

They agreed on the need to convene their joint committee on counterterrorism on a regular basis to exchange information and best practices in this regard and also agreed to enhance communication between the two countries' national security councils.

The joint statement highlighted the Egyptian-Indian determination to advance the relations between the two countries to the level of strategic partnership that covers political, security, defense, energy, and economic fields.

The statement shed light on fields in which the two countries are willing to expand cooperation, including economy, investments, capacity building, experience exchange, trade, agriculture, defense, space, disease control, climate, renewable energy, science and technology, education, culture, and tourism.

The leaders expressed confidence about the possibility that the Egyptian-Indian trade exchange rises to $12 billion within the next five years by diversifying trade and focusing on added value.

They welcomed the Indian investments in Egypt, which is currently above $3.15 billion, agreeing on encouraging companies in each of the two countries to explore economic and investment opportunities in the other country, the statement said.

Earlier today, Sisi participated in India’s 74th Republic Day as chief guest as per an invitation by Modi and also held talks with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Indian businessmen.