New delhi: Egypt aims to increase bilateral trade with India to $12 billion over the next five years, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said during talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi," Foreign Ministry said.
According to State Information Service Egypt, FM Abdelatty conveyed greetings from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to Modi and praised the rapid development of Egyptian-Indian relations in recent years, culminating in the elevation of ties to a strategic partnership, marked by a series of high-level visits and expanded bilateral cooperation.
He also welcomed the launch of the first round of the Egyptian-Indian strategic dialogue in 2025, stressing Cairo's commitment to holding the mechanism regularly on an alternating basis between the two countries. The minister said the dialogue would help deepen coordination and expand cooperation in key sectors, particularly trade, investment, and economic development.
Abdelatty reviewed the economic reforms implemented by the Egyptian government in recent years, including monetary policy measures and the adoption of a flexible exchange rate system, saying the reforms had improved economic performance, strengthened Egypt's credit rating, and enhanced the investment climate.
The talks also covered cooperation on international connectivity and trade corridors, with Abdelatty highlighting Egypt's strategic location, advanced infrastructure network, and the Suez Canal's central role in the global trade linking the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. "Regional developments also featured prominently in the discussions," according to the Foreign Ministry.
Abdelatty reviewed Egypt's efforts to contain tensions and reduce escalation in the Middle East, stressing the importance of diplomatic and negotiated solutions to regional crises in support of international and regional stability. On the Palestinian issue, FM Abdelatty stressed the need to proceed with the second phase of the US-backed Gaza ceasefire framework and ensure the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian, relief, and medical assistance to the Gaza Strip.
He also stressed the importance of early recovery and reconstruction efforts and enabling a Palestinian national committee to assume its responsibilities as part of efforts toward a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue. For his part, PM Modi asked Abdelatty to convey his greetings and appreciation to El-Sisi, praising the Egyptian president's handling of complex regional challenges and reaffirming India's commitment to its close friendship and strategic partnership with Egypt.
The Indian prime minister also commended Egypt's efforts to support peace, security, and stability in the Middle East. Egypt and India elevated their relations to a 'strategic partnership' during Modi's visit to Cairo in June 2023, when he held talks with El-Sisi focused on expanding cooperation in trade, defense, renewable energy, technology, food security, and manufacturing.
The two countries have since intensified high-level exchanges and economic coordination, with India becoming one of Egypt's key trading partners in Asia. Bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $7 billion in recent years, driven by Indian investments in chemicals, energy, textiles, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, alongside growing Egyptian exports of fertilizers, energy products, and agricultural goods.
Indian companies have also expanded their footprint in Egypt, particularly within the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), where Cairo has sought to attract foreign manufacturing and logistics investments linked to global supply chains and trade corridors. The BRICS meetings brought together foreign ministers from member states and partner countries during the ministerial gathering hosted by India.