26.06.2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first state-visit to Egypt and discussed with his his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi how the two countries could strengthen ties in areas including trade, food security and defence. Cairo has a so called “India unit” formed of several Egyptian ministers. The unit was created after a state visit by Sisi to India in January during which a “strategic partnership” was announced.
Both sides said talks during Modi’s visit covered areas including trade and investment, renewable energy, information technology and pharmaceuticals.
“Prime Minister Modi and President Sisi also discussed further cooperation in G-20, highlighting the issues of food and energy insecurity, climate change and the need for Global South to have a concerted voice,” a statement from Modi’s office said.
India has been considering a proposal to allow Egypt to make purchases in rupees and to barter goods such as fertiliser and gas, according to Reuters, but there was no mention of the proposal in the statements made during Modi’s visit to Cairo. Egypt is facing a severe foreign currency shortage and has been struggling to attract foreign investment.
India is seen as keen to boost ties with Egypt partly to secure trade through the Suez Canal. It exported $4.11 billion of goods to Egypt in the last fiscal year, while importing $1.95 billion.
During his two-day visit to Cairo, Modi also visited the 11th Century Al Hakim mosque, which was renovated by Bohra Muslims, a Shi’ite offshoot with a large presence in Modi’s home
state of Gujarat. The visit to the Egyptian mosque is significant since Modi, branded a Hindu nationalist, has rarely made public visits to mosques as prime minister.
