Egypt said Monday it is proud of its close historical ties with India and keen to deepen military and defense ties.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi expressed his desire to activate the partnership between the two countries “according to their capabilities in all areas” during his meeting with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in Cairo on Monday.
The Sisi Singh meeting was also attended by Egyptian Defense and Military Production Minister General Mohamed Zaki, as well as Indian Ambassador to Cairo Ajit Gupte and other senior officials from both countries.
Presidential spokesman Bassam Radi later said that the meeting discussed ways to improve military and security cooperation between the two countries, particularly in terms of collaborating on joint manufacturing, transfer and localization of technology aiming to leverage the skills and infrastructure available in the two countries, as well as collaborations in training, rehabilitation and joint exercises.
Singh particularly emphasized Egypt’s central and crucial role in countering and managing the threat of terrorism, which is casting a shadow of security and stability across the region.
(Images courtesy of Ministry of Defence, India)
He also expressed India’s appreciation for the growth and prosperity of Egypt-India ties and stressed New Delhi’s interest in deepening these historic ties given the all-out development boom Egypt is experiencing under Sisi’s leadership.
“In this regard, India looks forward to sharing experiences and consolidating the military and security aspect within the framework of joint cooperative relations between the two countries,” the Egyptian spokesman said.
As India continues to expand its ability to manufacture advanced cutting-edge technologies and systems in the defense sector under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Initiative, Egypt is one of several countries that has retained its interest in acquiring Indian-made Tejas fighter jets for its air power.
The state-of-the-art, fourth-generation fighter jet could be high on the agenda during Singh’s bilateral talks with his Egyptian counterpart, General Mohamed Zaki, who is also defense production minister.
The two ministers will not only review bilateral defense ties, but also examine new initiatives to intensify military-to-military engagement and focus on deepening cooperation between the two countries’ defense industries.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is also signed to give further impetus to increased defense cooperation between India and Egypt.
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