President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, His Excellency Mr. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, is on a State Visit to India from 24-27 January 2023 at the invitation of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. President Sisi, who is on his second State Visit to India, is the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day on 26 January 2023, reflecting the importance attached by India to the relationship with Egypt. President Sisi is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Electricity and Renewable Energy, Planning and Economic Development, and Communications and Information Technology, as well as senior officials of the Egyptian government.
President Sisi was accorded a ceremonial welcome on 25 January 2023 at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. President Sisi also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu hosted a Banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary. Vice President of India Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar called on the President of Egypt.
The two leaders recalled their earlier meetings in New York (September 2015), in New Delhi (October 2015 and September 2016), and on the margins of the 9th BRICS Summit in Xiamen (September 2017). They also noted recent visits by Defence Minister of India Shri Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav to Egypt, as well as the visit of Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr. Amr Talaat to India.
Keeping in view the development of relations between the two countries, and the potential for their future growth, the two leaders decided to upgrade their relations to the level of ‘Strategic Partnership’ covering political, security, defense, energy, and economic areas. By doing so, the two sides seek to maximize the common interests and exchange support in a bid to overcome the difficulties caused by various consecutive crises and challenges the world is facing. The two leaders reviewed the status of the bilateral relationship based on the pillars of closer political and security cooperation, deeper economic engagement, stronger scientific and academic collaboration, as well as wider cultural and people-to-people contacts.
Appreciating the friendly gesture of India’s invitation to Egypt as a ‘Guest Country’ for the G20 forum, President Sisi expressed confidence that under India’s Presidency, the grouping will be successful in achieving its goals. Both the leaders agreed to work together closely during India’s Presidency and reiterated that the interests and priorities of the Global South be given due attention and focus in key global forums including G20.
The two sides expressed their satisfaction that they attach high priority to the issues of climate change, environment, and sustainable development, and encourage the use of new and renewable energy. They agreed on the continuation of their relevant joint efforts in these areas through the exchange of experiences and the models developed to adapt and build resilience to the negative impacts of climate change.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated President Sisi for the successful hosting of the 27th Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Sharm el-Sheikh in November 2022 and the contribution of Egypt for making the Conference a success. President Sisi expressed support for Prime Minister Modi’s mantra of LiFE, ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ initiative based on the mindful utilization of resources and Mission LiFE which is for making the fight against climate change inclusive where everyone can contribute and embolden the spirit of Pro Planet People. Prime Minister Modi also expressed support for President Sisi’s ‘Go Green Initiative’ that aims to change behaviours, spread environmental awareness and urge citizens to protect the environment, natural resources, natural protectorates, and marine life to maintain sustainability. Both leaders recognized that centuries-old civilizations of India and Egypt have sustainable lifestyle practices embedded in their culture and traditions that are examples for the globe on sustainability and essential for living in harmony with nature.
Both leaders underlined their firm commitment to taking ambitious climate action on the basis of the agreed principles of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement with clean, low-carbon pathways in accordance with National Circumstances. They reaffirmed their personal resolve to accelerate the clean energy transition to fulfill respective climate action commitments. They welcomed Egypt’s leadership at COP27, especially concerning setting up of Loss and Damage Fund for assisting developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, and welcomed the launch of the ‘Global Renewable Hydrogen Forum’ (GRHF).
Both leaders expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy, particularly green hydrogen, and welcomed the recent signing of a Framework Agreement and MoUs between Indian companies and the Egyptian authorities for the setting up of large-scale green hydrogen and green ammonia projects in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. They reiterated the significance of the clean energy transition and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the clean energy sector between the two countries.
