India-Egypt relations
The two countries signed a Friendship Treaty in 1955.
India’s support to Egypt, including during the Suez Canal crisis in 1956.
India and Egypt along with Yugoslavia, Indonesia and Ghana established the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
G-77 grouping and “South-South Cooperation” initiatives.
During the Cold War, India and Egypt were united over their desire not to become “camp followers” of either the U.S. or the Soviet Union.
More recently, their positions on the Ukraine war have been extremely similar — refusing to criticise Russia’s actions but not condoning them either and calling for a diplomatic resolution.
Last year, India’s decision to supply wheat to Egypt, one of the world’s biggest importers that was hit by the blockade on exports from Russia and Ukraine last year, before the Black Sea Grain Initiative stepped in, won New Delhi much goodwill in Cairo.
Closer cooperation in green energy, pharmaceuticals and defence.
MoUs in agriculture, archaeology and antiquities, and competition law.
India’s close ties in Egypt’s neighbourhood (especially Israel and Saudi Arabia).
Food and energy security constraints.
Building more cooperation with the Global South including the African Union.
India was Egypt’s sixth largest trading partner, while Egypt was India’s 38th in 2022-23.
Indian investments in Egypt are spread over 50 projects totalling USD 3.15 billion. Egypt has invested USD 37 million in India.
The first joint special forces exercise between the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army, "Exercise Cyclone-I" was completed in January 2023 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
Importance
China’s Growing Influence
India aims to combat Religious Extremism by supporting moderate countries in the region and promoting social reforms.
Egypt holds a strategically significant position with the Suez Canal, through which 12% of global trade passes.
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