The new Indian Ambassador to Egypt, Ajit Gupte, indicated progress in the bilateral relations between the two countries, during his visit, at his request and accompanied by Third Secretary/ Sablish Balaknshnan, to meet Ambassador Dr. Mounir Zahran, Chairman of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, on November 22, 2021.
He explained that Egyptian exports to India have increased significantly in recent years. He also mentioned that Indian investments in Egypt increased, reaching the equivalent of $3.1 billion, which contributes to the implementation of many projects in Egypt.
He stated that there are Indian companies that will participate in the Defense Industries Exhibition “EDEX 2021”, which will be hosted by Egypt from November 29 to December 2. He expressed delight that in the past period, joint military maneuvers were arranged in the Red Sea region, and similar maneuvers are being arranged in the Mediterranean for next year. He added that, at the end of last October, maneuvers were arranged between the Egyptian and Indian air forces in Egypt.
He added that India hosts more than a thousand Egyptians, as part of scholarships in Indian universities, and that they are arranging visits for military personnel from Egypt to India.
Regarding India’s handling of the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, he noted that their efforts are continuing in this regard, and that there is cooperation with Egypt; as they exported vaccines to Egypt to combat this disease, and they have vaccinated more than 80% of the population against this disease.
He pointed out that the memorandum of understanding concluded between ECFA and the Indian Council of World Affairs, which provides for the exchange of visits between the two councils, and that the last meeting between the two sides was in September 2019, when the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs hosted the delegation of the Indian Council in Cairo, and it is time for the Indian Council to host a delegation from ECFA.
