Egypt and India bolster ties as Narendra Modi makes first trip to Cairo

Egypt and India discussed strengthening ties in areas including defence, trade and food security during a state visit to Cairo by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two countries said on Sunday. On his first trip to Egypt, Narendra Modi met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Egyptian ministers appointed to an “India unit” after a state visit by Sisi to India in January during which a “strategic partnership” was announced. Both sides said talks on Sunday covered areas including trade and investment, information technology, renewable energy 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, adding that the talks had also addressed defence and security ties. 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, Prime Minister Narendra 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.