India, Egypt to now explore opportunities in renewable energy, trade

Addressing a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry following their meeting in Cairo, Jaishankar said bilateral trade had recorded the highest-ever figure of $ 7.2 billion last year.

India and Egypt have stepped up defence and security cooperation and will explore opportunities in renewable energy, trade, tourism and connectivity, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday.

Addressing a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry following their meeting in Cairo, Jaishankar said bilateral trade had recorded the highest-ever figure of $ 7.2 billion last year.

Jaishankar, who is on his first visit to Egypt as foreign minister, said back-to-back trips by him and defence minister Rajnath Singh underline India’s commitment to take relations with Egypt to a higher level.

“In recent times, we have also stepped up our defence and security cooperation,” he said, adding that there was an important exercise between the air forces of the two sides and regular visits by Indian warships to Egypt.

The two ministers had discussions on how they can collaborate more closely in defence, especially defence production, he said.