During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inaugural visit to Cairo, Egypt and India engaged in discussions to enhance their bilateral relations in various sectors such as trade, food security, and defense, as announced by both countries on Sunday.
Modi, who was visiting Egypt for the first time, held meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Egyptian ministers assigned to an "India unit" following President Sisi's state visit to India in January, during which a "strategic partnership" was declared.
The discussions on Sunday encompassed several areas, including trade and investment, renewable energy, information technology, and pharmaceuticals, according to statements from both sides.
According to a statement from Prime Minister Modi's office, discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Sisi included further cooperation in the G-20, with a focus on addressing issues such as food and energy insecurity, climate change, and the need for the Global South to have a unified voice. The talks also covered aspects of defense and security ties.
Earlier this month, sources informed Reuters that India has been considering a proposal to allow Egypt, which is facing a significant shortage of foreign currency and struggling to attract foreign investment, to conduct purchases in rupees and engage in barter trade for goods like fertilizer and gas. However, the proposal was not mentioned in the statements made on Sunday.
India is believed to be eager to strengthen ties with Egypt, partly to ensure smooth trade through the Suez Canal. In the previous fiscal year, India exported goods worth $4.11 billion to Egypt and imported goods worth $1.95 billion.
During his two-day visit to Cairo, Prime Minister Modi also visited the 11th Century Al Hakim mosque, which was renovated by Bohra Muslims, a Shi'ite offshoot with a significant presence in Modi's home state of Gujarat.
It is worth noting that, as a Hindu nationalist, Prime Minister Modi has seldom made public visits to mosques during his tenure as the Prime Minister.
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