PM Modi, Egyptian Prez El-Sisi sign pacts to strengthen economic, cultural ties
In a bid to strengthen ties and facilitate a strategic partnership between India and Egypt, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi signed pacts on Sunday.
They held wide-ranging talks with a particular focus on enhancing political and security cooperation.
According to Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, four MoUs and agreements were signed, including the “most important and landmark” one on the “Strategic Partnership” between India and Egypt.
“The two leaders had a private one-on-one conversation during which, following up on the India visit of President Sisi earlier this year, the two leaders discussed a whole range of bilateral cooperation and also took stock of what is happening on important issues of the region and the world,” news agency PTI quoted him as saying.
Apart from the agreement on strategic partnership, India and Egypt also signed pacts on agriculture and allied sectors; protection and preservation of monuments and archaeological sites; and competition law.
Talking about his visit to Egypt, PM Modi tweeted, “My visit to Egypt was a historic one. It will add renewed vigour to India-Egypt relations and will benefit the people of our nations.”
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi shared glimpses of his visit to the pyramids with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly. “We had a rich discussion on the cultural histories of our nations and how to deepen these linkages in the times to come,” he wrote.
Besides, he also expressed gratitude for being awarded the ‘Order of the Nile’, Egypt’s highest state honour. “I thank the Government and people of Egypt for this honour. It indicates the warmth and affection they have towards India and the people of our nation,” he wrote.
Earlier, PM Modi paid homage to Indian soldiers at the Heliopolis War Memorial. They had lost their lives in the First World War in Egypt. “A tribute to India’s brave soldiers, whose courage will never be forgotten,” PM Modi said.
According to Vinay Kwatra, the MoU and agreements signed between India and Egypt, gave a particular focus on enhancing political and security cooperation, defence collaboration, trade and investment ties, scientific and academic collaboration and strengthening ties.
PM Modi is visiting Egypt at the invitation of President Sisi. They held one-on-one conversations and took stock of what is happening on important issues of the region and the world.