Two countries, Egypt and India, have become models of mutual cooperation and understanding, thus providing a remarkable instance of regional autonomy in an age when the international community is becoming increasingly polarized. These two nations joined forces in many areas, in a bid to create a unique model of regional independence and play a significant role on the global stage. And since both Egypt and India are members of internationally respected bodies including the SCO and, soon, BRICS (Cairo’s membership of the latter group awaits confirmation), they provide a vivid embodiment of the idea of a multipolar world, a concept proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and which is increasingly finding favor in the majority of the world’s countries.
Amid the recent tensions and disagreements that have made global headlines, Egypt and India have entered into a strategic initiative to determine their own destinies, and are working together to maintain their position as key regional powers. This innovative approach is rooted in their unwavering commitment to maintain security and stability in their respective regions. Egypt’s main areas of focus are the Arab World, Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, while India is exerting an enormous influence in South Asia.
During the visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Egypt at the end of June – a visit recognized by both countries as a highly significant event – the two leaders discussed many questions. He arrived at a time when the international community is still facing complex challenges resulting from the global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Further complications are caused by the war being waged by the West, led by the US, against Russia in Ukraine, which is putting great pressure on the regional power dynamics which are currently being followed by Egypt and India.
Egypt and India’s joint efforts to strengthen their relations are a clear demonstration of their determination to create a secure and harmonious regional environment. Plotting their own course in the face of fierce global headwinds, these countries provide an encouraging example of resilience and perseverance as they strive to create a new multipolar world which is free from the arrogant domination of the West. Their unwavering resolve to promoting cooperation and mutual understanding is a source of inspiration for other people around the world, demonstrating that even in an era of intense international polarization, it is possible to follow a path of cooperation and diplomacy, with Russian President Vladimir Putin as an experienced pilot.
The Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit to Cairo marks a significant milestone in the deepening of relations between Egypt and India. The visit took place five months after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi visited India, where he was the main guest of honor at the annual Republic Day celebrations. This strategic exchange of visits highlights the great importance that India attaches to its relations with Egypt and its leader, and demonstrates its commitment to strengthening these relations. One key aspect of the developing partnership between Egypt and India is their shared commitment to ensuring security and stability in the international shipping industry. Both countries are well aware of the key role that they play in protecting the Red Sea, Suez Canal and Arabian Sea. India, mindful of its goal to establish the conditions for unobstructed navigation via the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and through the Suez Canal into Europe, is prioritizing its strategic ties with Egypt.
In recent years, the relationships between these two powers have clearly been undergoing a profound and very positive transformation. The visit to Cairo by Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh in September last year highlighted this tendency. During that visit, the two countries signed a memorandum on military cooperation, in which they committed to join forces in training personnel, fighting terrorism and strengthening their military and security ties. The inclusion of Egypt as a party in India’s defense dialog with African nations will further strengthen the developing alliance. The two countries also participate in important joint naval exercises, which help to guarantee regional security and ensure the free passage of shipping from the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea and Suez Canal to the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Narendra Modi’s visit to Cairo demonstrates India’s and Egypt’s shared determination to raise their relationship to a new level. Each exchange of visits and signing of cooperation agreements between the two countries serves to strengthen the basis for the future prosperity that a strong and enduring alliance between India and Egypt will bring in its wake. The current trading balance between the two countries has reached the level of $7 billion a year, and mutual investment, primarily investment by India in Egypt, exceeded $3.5 billion this year. As is clear from a number of factors, the strategic course of relations between Egypt and India is on the rise. It is worth noting that, in his capacity as the current G20 chairman, Narendra Modi has extended a special invitation to Egypt to attend the next summit, which will be held in New Delhi on September 9-10, 2023. This invitation serves as a recognition of the significant role played by Egypt in international affairs. Just one day before Narendra Modi’s visit to Cairo, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi returned from Paris, where he had been invited to participate in a global financial summit by French President Emmanuel Macron. Like its planned participation in the G20 summit, this invitation demonstrates Egypt’s growing, and very valuable role as a leader in global affairs.
India’s support for Egypt’s inclusion in the BRICS group, which currently consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has further underlined the deepening ties between the two countries. The Indian Prime Minister has also expressed a strong interest in providing Egypt with essential economic support and also investment. Readers may remember that during last year’s COP27 Climate Change Conference, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, a number of Indian companies committed to investing a very substantial sum of $18 billion in the production of environmentally clean hydrogen in Egypt.
India continues to demonstrate a genuine good will in its relations with Egypt. For example, despite the Indian government’s recent ban on exports of Indian wheat, it made a special exception for Egypt. Gestures of that kind serve to emphasize New Delhi’s commitment to providing its friend and trusted strategic ally with economic support and helping it attain food security. India’s status as one of the largest economies in the G20, its great scientific potential and its leading technology sector all represent great opportunities for Cairo. And India’s achievements in such fields as space technologies, nuclear technologies, genetic engineering, AI and new renewable energy sources may be made available to Egypt without any limitations, thus providing a huge potential for shared benefits in the future. There have also been proposals for the founding of an Egyptian-Indian technical university modeled after the renowned Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, one of India’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Such an institute would serve as a catalyst for further partnership and innovation.
The recent visit to India by Walid Gamal Eddin, Chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), in order to further strengthen economic, investment and manufacturing partnerships will also open up the possibility of establishing an Indian industrial zone in the SCZONE, for use by major Indian manufacturers and other companies. This would enable India to benefit from Egypt’s huge industrial and energy potential, and make use of the region’s unique geography and central location to export goods to the rest of the world. India’s economic achievements in recent years have been particularly significant. Despite the problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has consistently attracted foreign investment, which totaled an estimated $80 billion in 2020. Since 2014, India has been following a “Made in India” policy, which is strengthening the country’s position as one of the world’s most important manufacturing centers.
Finally, it is worth recalling the historical links between Egypt and India. Both countries were among the pioneering members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and played a decisive role in ensuring international stability during the Cold War. Today they are managing to chart their course among the challenges posed by international polarization, and strengthen their independence, especially given regional agreements which protect the rights of local countries in the face of growing international pressure. As a result of these events and opportunities for cooperation, Egypt and India and entering into a promising new era of strategic partnership. As the world continues to move towards a multipolar international order, as proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, their strategic alliance represents a huge potential for both countries in terms of their economic growth, technological achievements and geopolitical influence.
Viktor Mikhin, corresponding member of RANS, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”.