Egypt’s President, India’s PM discuss joint coronavirus efforts

CAIRO – 17 April 2020: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke by phone to discuss the coronavirus crisis and the joint efforts to curb its spread, the Presidency said in a statement.

The two leaders exchanged visions on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between Egypt and India in the fields of health, scientific research and technology, Presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said.

Sisi and Modi agreed on the need for coordination between the two countries in the fields related to fighting the novel COVID-19, through exchanging successful expertise and communication between the authorities involved in fighting coronavirus.

The Egyptian president affirmed the country’s keenness to boost bilateral cooperation with India in all fields, especially at the economic level and trade exchange.

Modi congratulated Sisi on the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which falls this year on Friday April 24th.

The Indian prime minister expressed appreciation for the extended and strong ties between India and Egypt and hailed the care provided to the Indian community in the northeastern African country.

He also praised Egypt’s efforts to achieve security, stability and development during the past years at the local level.

The Indian health ministry on Friday said the total number of COVID-19 cases reached 13,835 while the death toll mounted to 452, India’s Business Standard reported.

In Egypt, according to the latest official figures on Thursday, the total number of cases reached 2,673 and deaths reached 196.

Globally, the novel virus has been contracted by more than 2.2 million people and has caused the death of almost 149,000 people, according to Worldometers.