Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is currently conducting business in Egypt.

During the visit, an MoU was signed by both parties to strengthen defence cooperation.

They also made the decision to enhance collaborative military exercises, training, and equipment upkeep.

They agreed that options for fostering cooperation between respective defence industries needed to be swiftly investigated.

India and Egypt, two of the oldest civilizations in the world, have a long history of close engagement.

The edicts of Ashoka speak about his interactions with Egypt under Ptolemy II.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Nehru and President Nasser, who were close friends, relations between the nations grew in modern times.

A Friendship Treaty had been ratified by both nations in 1955.

Both nations were founders of the Non-Aligned Movement and have worked closely together in multilateral fora.

The 75th anniversary of India and Egypt's diplomatic relations will occur in 2022.

Bilateral trade

One of India's most significant trading partners on the continent of Africa historically has been Egypt.

Since its implementation in March 1978, the bilateral trade agreement between Egypt and India has followed the Most Favoured Nation principle.

In 2021–22, bilateral trade increased significantly, reaching $7.26 billion, a 75 percent increase over FY 2020–21.

Egypt received $3.74 billion in exports from India during this time, a 65 percent increase over the same period in FY 2020–21.

At the same period, Egypt's exports to India increased by 86 percent to $3.52 billion.

India was Egypt's third-largest export market during this time, as well as its sixth- and seventh-largest trading partner and seventh-largest exporter to Egypt.

Investment

Over 50 Indian firms have made investments totaling more than $3.15 billion in Egypt's diverse industries.

Egypt has made 37 million dollars worth of investments in India.

Grant-in-Aid initiatives

Pan African Tele-Medicine and Tele-Education Project at Alexandria University, Solar Electrification Project in Agaween Village, and Textile Technology Vocational Training Center in Shoubra, Cairo are just a few of the projects receiving funds in help.

Wheat export from India

Due to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, Egypt faces a shortage of wheat, which is imported in large quantities from those two countries.

India was added to the list of recognised nations that can supply Egypt with wheat in April 2022, ending a long-standing Non-Tariff Barrier.

Despite the difficulty in finishing the shipment due to India's ban on wheat exports, India was able to clear a first shipment of 61,500 metric tonnes of wheat for Egypt in May 2022.

Both parties regularly arrange courses in which Indian defence officers are taught in Egypt and Egyptian officers are trained in India.

In March 2019, Egypt took part in the multinational training exercise for friendly African nations that was held in Pune.

Dessert Warrior, the first IAF-EAF Joint Tactical Air Exercise, took place in October 2021.

The historic "Cyclone 1" Special Forces exercise between Egypt and India that was scheduled to take place in Jodhpur in January 2022 has been postponed.

Egypt has expressed interest in purchasing Indian-made weapons, such as the Akash missile systems, which can intercept enemy helicopters, drones, subsonic cruise missiles, and planes at a range of 25 km.