June 27, 2023 12:20 am | Updated 01:06 am ISTThe decision by India and Egypt to upgrade their ties to a Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is a significant move for India’s ties with the West Asia-North Africa (WANA) region that is long overdue, given their historical ties. During the Cold War, India and Egypt were united over their desire not to become “camp followers” of either the U.S. or the Soviet Union. More recently, their positions on the Ukraine war have been extremely similar — refusing to criticise Russia’s actions but not condoning them either and calling for a diplomatic resolution. The two leaders will meet again as Egypt is a “special invitee” to the G-20 Summit in Delhi in September. Bolstered by historical ties, and buffeted by present-day geopolitical turmoil, it is clear that India and Egypt are now essaying a closer relationship, one that looks both at future economies and autonomous foreign policies.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 26, 2023 19:12 UTC