Page 11 - The Indian EYE 021023

OPINION FEBRUARY 10, 2023 | The Indian Eye 11

countries are immense.
Finally, Egypt is an important
partner of India in the multilateral
arena. Both countries are the found-
ing members of the Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM) and recognise
the need for reform in multilater-
al institutions. India and Egypt are
together as a member and dialogue
partner respectively of the Indian
Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Similarly, they are both dialogue
partners of the Shanghai Coopera-
tion Organisation (SCO). They also
have an opportunity to cooperate on
matters related to global economic
governance at the G20. As the Presi-
dent of G20, India has invited Egypt
as a guest country for the summit to
be held in September 2023.
Key Takeaways
The recent visit marks the third
visit of President Al Sisi to India. He
had visited India earlier during the
3rd India–Africa Forum hosted by
India in 2015 and subsequently for The Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Piyush Goyal with the President of
a state visit in 2016. The importance Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the India-Egypt Business Roundtable in New Delhi (ANI Photo)
given to his visit to India is reflected
by the fact that he was accompanied
by a high-powered delegation com- countries across the world, includ- fence cooperation between the two wide-ranging discussion on econom-
prising of five ministers and senior ing Egypt and India. Egypt, one of countries is not new. India has been ic matters. Egypt may allocate land
officials. The visit is path-breaking as the largest importers of wheat from training Egyptian armed forces offi- to Indian industry in the Suez Canal
India and Egypt decided to elevate Russia and Ukraine, had procured cers since the 1960s. Some of the re- Economic Zone (SCEZ). The two
the relationship to a ‘strategic part- wheat from India after conflict broke cent engagements include exchange sides decided to expand the bilater-
nership’ and enhance political, secu- out between the two countries. Both of visits, joint exercises and defence al trade to US$ 12 billion in the next
rity and economic cooperation. India and Egypt had supported each exhibitions. During Defence Minis- five years.
There is no doubt that both In- other during the COVID-19 pan- ter Rajnath Singh’s visit to Egypt in However, to achieve this target,
dia and Egypt share similar views demic. India had supplied COVID September 2022, a Memorandum of India and Egypt will have to address
on a number of security issues, ter- vaccines to Egypt. Similarly, Cairo Understanding (MoU) on defence the impediments in expanding trade.
rorism and cybersecurity in particu- had sent medical supplies, including cooperation was signed by the two The visit ended with an exchange of
lar. Egypt, like India, has faced the oxygen cylinders, to India. sides. President Al Sisi’s visit will five MOUs in the crucial areas of cy-
scourge of terrorism for long. It has President Al Sisi and Prime hopefully lead to greater synergies in bersecurity, information technology,
evolved a holistic approach to count- Minister Modi agreed to expand co- this crucial sector. culture, youth matters and broad-
er terrorism. This encompasses not operation in the security sector. De- The two leaders also had casting.
only security solutions but also, ex- In conclusion, the visit of Presi-
amining the economic, cultural and dent of Egypt to India has elevated
ideological roots of the problem. the relationship to a strategic part-
Therefore, it was not surprising nership. The spate of agreements
that the two leaders called for zero and warm chemistry between the
tolerance on terrorism. Cybersecurity leaders augurs well for future rela-
is another area in which the views of tions between the two leading pow-
the two leaders converged. A recent ers in Africa and Asia, respectively.
report suggests that in the year 2022,
India was one of the most targeted Ruchita Beri is Senior Research
countries in terms of cyber-attacks Associate at the Manohar Parrikar
on government sector in the world. Institute for Defence Studies and
Similarly, Egypt has been identi- Analyses, New Delhi.
fied as one of the 20 largest countries Views expressed are of the author and
vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Looking do not necessarily reflect the views of
at this scenario, it is important that the Manohar Parrikar IDSA or of the
both India and Egypt join hands to Government of India.
deal with this emerging challenge.
The two leaders also discussed This article first appeared in the
cooperation in food and health se- Comments section of the website (www.
curity. The COVID-19 pandemic President Droupadi Murmu received the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi idsa.in) of Manohar Parrikar Institute
and the recent Ukraine conflict have at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi (ANI Photo) for Defense Studies and Analyses, New
impacted food and health security in Delhi on February 2, 2023

www.TheIndianEYE.com