Egypt's Sisi on maiden India visit this week

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will visit India for the first time this week to attend the third India-Africa Forum Summit to boost bilateral ties and invite increased investment, especially in the new, ambitious Suez Canal project.

Sisi appreciates the close historical bilateral relations between the two countries. Both countries are interested in developing the relations and build on it, presidential spokesperson Alaa Youssef said late yesterday.

"Egypt's participation in the Summit is to highlight its leading role in Africa and internationally. It also highlights Egypt's keenness on boosting relations with Africa and India," Youssef said, adding that the president will start his trip on Tuesday by visiting the UAE, India and Bahrain.

"The summit will discuss ways to develop the economic cooperation between India and Africa and enhancing the investments exchange as India became one of the best commercial partners to Africa," he added.