On April 29, 2024, ECFA held a virtual meeting with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) Institute, India, to discuss prospects for cooperation between the two sides. The meeting was attended by the following ambassadors from ECFA : Dr. Ezzat Saad, ECFA Director, Ali El-Hefny, ECFA Treasurer, and Dr. Mohamed Idris, while the Indian side comprised: Mr. Atul Kaushik, Fellow at the Global Development Centre (GDC); Dr. Monka Kochar, concerned with the healthcare sector; Dr. SS Reddy, concerned with the agriculture and natural resource management sector; Mr. Amit Arora, specialist in the communications and information technology sector; and Mr. Omegere John Patrick (African), researcher at the Institute, specializing in South-South and Trilateral cooperation.

Mr. Atul Kaushik began his speech by hailing the deep-rooted historical relations between Egypt and India, noting that they are progressing and flourishing, thanks to the efforts of both countries’ political leaders and their various institutions. He also referred to the RIS as one of the main Indian institutions concerned with the Global South issues. He added that the Global Development Centre is affiliated with the Indian Institute, and is a unique platform that aims to contribute to developing positive development models and programs, and facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices among developing countries.

He also tackled the Development & Knowledge Sharing Initiative (DAKSHIN), which was represented in the establishment of the Global South Centre of Excellence (GSCE), which was inaugurated in November 2023, during the second edition of the Global South Summit, which aims to help partners find and implement sustainable solutions to issues related to the economies and communities of the Global South countries, in a manner that helps achieve Agenda 2030, and localize the Sustainable Development Goals, including the establishment of a kind of partnership and interaction among more than 300 think tanks across the Global South.

On his part, Ambassador Dr. Ezzat Saad gave an overview of ECFA, while Ambassador Mohamed Idris called for the importance of coordination among the various think tanks in connection with the Future Summit, which is scheduled to be held on September 22 and 23, 2024, on the sidelines of the upcoming 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The two sides agreed to establish some kind of cooperation between them, and the Indian side pledged to send a “Letter of Association” for cooperation, to be signed by ECFA, which the latter welcomed. It was also agreed to enhance coordination and consultation between them in the future, including holding joint events and researches, in a manner that serves the common interests of both Egypt and India, as well as the rest of the Global South countries.