Strengthening Ties: India & Egypt's Growing Relationship - A Dialogue with Ambassador Ajit Gupte

In recent years, the bond between India and Egypt, two ancient civilizations, has seen renewed vigor and collaboration. Ambassador Ajit Gupte sheds light on the significant strides both countries have made in fostering this relationship.

A Rekindled Bond:

India and Egypt, with rich histories dating back to ancient times, have enjoyed strong ties for centuries. The bustling trade and commercial exchanges that once thrived between them have only strengthened over time. Following a lull due to the Covid-19 pandemic, high-level exchanges between the nations have resumed. Highlighting the importance of these visits, Gupte mentioned President Sisi’s significant visit to India in January 2023, reciprocated by PM Narendra Modi’s trip to Egypt later in June. The signing of the ‘Strategic Partnership’ agreement during these visits heralded a new era of bilateral cooperation.

G20 Summit and Egypt’s Role:

India, currently presiding over the G20, has extended an invitation to Egypt as the "guest country." The Ambassador emphasized the importance of cooperation between India and Egypt, particularly in areas like IT, the digital economy, agriculture, environment, and health. He further elaborated on India’s human-centric approach to global challenges, underlined by the theme 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'.

Economic Exchanges:

The economic collaboration between India and Egypt continues to flourish. The bilateral trade saw a marked increase in FY 2021-22, reaching a significant USD 7.26 billion. Indian investments in Egypt, too, have been on an upward trajectory, with investments from major companies like TCI Sanmar, Kirloskar, and Dabur India.

Various mechanisms, such as the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) and the Joint Business Council (JBC), exist to bolster economic and trade relations. In September 2023 alone, 110 companies participated in three trade fairs in Egypt, showcasing the ever-growing business ties.

BRICS Expansion:

India, a foundational member of the BRICS bloc, welcomes Egypt's impending membership. Gupte mentioned PM Modi's positive stance on this expansion, noting that Egypt's inclusion would inject new dynamism into BRICS, further strengthening multilateral ties and supporting the vision of a multipolar world.

In conclusion, Ambassador Ajit Gupte’s insights paint a picture of two nations, India and Egypt, keenly invested in deepening their historical ties and eager to work together for a shared future. Their combined efforts in areas of trade, defense, culture, and multilateral platforms indicate a robust relationship built on mutual respect and shared goals.