New Delhi is witnessing a surge in diplomatic and economic ties with Egypt, as the North African nation sets an ambitious target to double bilateral trade with India to $12 billion in the coming years. Currently hovering around $2 billion, this trade volume underscores vast untapped potential between the two ancient civilizations.
Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in the national capital, Egypt’s Ambassador to India, Kamel Zayed Galal, painted a vivid picture of collaborative opportunities. He highlighted sectors like energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and connectivity as prime areas for joint growth. ‘We have immense scope to grow together,’ the envoy asserted.
Indian investments in Egypt, already at $3.7 billion, are projected to surpass $10 billion soon, Galal revealed. Urging Indian firms to view Egypt not as a short-term market but as a long-term strategic partner, he emphasized the country’s strategic advantages.
Energy stands out as a cornerstone for cooperation. Egypt boasts abundant solar and wind resources, developing infrastructure, and direct access to key global shipping lanes. This positions it as a potential hub for green energy production and export, the ambassador noted.
Beyond energy, Galal foresaw robust ties in fertilizers, agriculture, and industrial manufacturing. Egypt’s industrial zones and free trade agreements with African and European nations offer Indian businesses a gateway to broader markets. ‘Egypt is not just a market to sell products; it’s a base for production and export,’ he clarified.
Strategically located ports on the Red Sea and Mediterranean, coupled with the Suez Canal handling 12% of global trade, make Egypt an indispensable trade gateway. Recent elevations of India-Egypt relations to a strategic partnership, following meetings between PM Narendra Modi and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, signal a shift from paperwork to tangible economic outcomes.
On foreign policy, Galal described Egypt’s commitment to strategic autonomy, multi-alignment, and respect for sovereignty—principles that resonate deeply with India’s worldview. This alignment promises a new era of prosperity for both nations.