Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed a joint declaration upgrading relations between the two regional powerhouses to the level of “strategic partnership” on Sunday.
An Egyptian presidential statement said the signing ceremony followed talks between the two leaders in Ittihadiya, the suburban Cairo palace that is the seat of the Egyptian presidency.
The declaration of a strategic partnership is largely symbolic, with periodical consultations its main feature. However, it represents a clear indication that Cairo and New Delhi intend to pursue the potential for co-operation on a multitude of levels.
Mr El Sisi, underscoring his government's growing appreciation of relations with New Delhi, presented the Indian leader with the Grand Order of the Nile, the highest honour an Egyptian president can bestow.
During their talks, the two leaders reviewed a wide range of fields in which Egypt and India will co-operate to push bilateral relations forward. These include telecoms, information technology, pharmaceuticals, new and renewable energy and tourism and culture, according to the Egyptian presidential statement.
They also discussed bolstering trade and increasing Indian investment in Egypt, it added.
Mr Modi arrived in Egypt on Saturday when he was received at the airport by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. The pair later held talks attended by senior government officials from both countries.
The arrival marked Mr Modi's first visit to Egypt and the first by an Indian prime minister since 1997. Mr El Sisi has visited India three times, the last visit being in January. Both leaders took office in 2014.
Later on Saturday, Mr Modi discussed “countering extremism and radicalisation” with Grand Mufti Shawki Allam, Egypt's top Islamic theologian, according to Arindam Bagchi, a spokesman for India's External Affairs Ministry.
Mr Modi flew to Egypt from the United States where he held talks with President Joe Biden, delivered a speech to the US Congress and met with top American and Indian executives.
Mr Modi visited the historic mosque Al-Hakim in Cairo's medieval quarter on Sunday. The mosque was recently renovated with the help of the India-based Dawoodi Bohra community. He was also scheduled to visit the Heliopolis War Cemetery to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who fought in the British Indian Army in First World War.
The Indian leader’s milestone visit to Washington and his much-heralded trip to Egypt underline his country's emergence as an economic and military power. Surpassing China as the world's most populous country has also bolstered New Delhi’s international credentials.
In contrast, Egypt, the most populous Arab nation with 105 million people, is facing a severe economic downturn that has forced authorities to devalue the country's currency three times since early last year. Inflation is near an all-time high and a dollar crunch has hurt local industries that depend on imported inputs.
But Egypt has undertaken an ambitious, multibillion-dollar overhaul of its infrastructure, building two dozen new cities, including a new capital in the desert east of Cairo. It has also significantly expanded its network of roads, and is building a nuclear power station and monorail and fast railway links worth billions of dollars.
Egypt also plays a key role in the defence of strategic shipping lanes in the Red Sea and is among the world’s top weapons buyers. Its Suez Canal, which links the Red and Mediterranean seas, and Egypt's traditional role as a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict add considerable weight to its regional and international standing.
When they last met in India in January, Mr El Sisi and Mr Modi agreed on a number of measures to increase the two-way trade in five years to $12 billion, up from $7.3 billion in 2021-22. They also signed deals on expanding co-operation in cyber security, information technology, culture and broadcasting.
India is one of the top five importers of Egyptian products, including crude oil and liquefied natural gas, salt and cotton. Major Indian exports to Egypt include cotton yarn, coffee, herbs, tobacco, vehicle parts, ships and boats.
More than 50 Indian companies have invested around $3.15 billion in various parts of the Egyptian economy, including chemicals, energy, textiles, garments, agribusiness and retailing, according to India’s External Affairs Ministry.
Moreover, the two counties have held a series of joint war games. They share relevant intelligence and co-ordinate counterterrorism efforts, according to Egyptian officials. In January, Indian and Egyptian troops held joint exercises in India’s Jaisalmer to bolster defence co-operation and share skills.
New Delhi has been steadily focusing on advancing its capabilities to design, develop and manufacture weapons systems under its ambitious Make In India initiative.
Egypt is looking to take advantage of these capabilities to benefit its military industry, Egyptian officials have said. Currently, under consideration, they said, is a joint project to manufacture military hardware in Egypt to mainly target markets in Africa.
“They [Egypt] are ready to work with us and they are also interested in a lot of Indian defence products,” said Ani Trigunayat, a retired Indian diplomat with years of experience in the Middle East.
As a show of India’s growing relations with Egypt, it invited the Arab nation, along with Oman and the UAE, to attend the G20 Summit in September as special guests.
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
Jawan
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The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
PSG's line up
GK: Alphonse Areola (youth academy)
Defence - RB: Dani Alves (free transfer); CB: Marquinhos (€31.4 million); CB: Thiago Silva (€42m); LB: Layvin Kurzawa (€23m)
Midfield - Angel di Maria (€47m); Adrien Rabiot (youth academy); Marco Verratti (€12m)
Forwards - Neymar (€222m); Edinson Cavani (€63m); Kylian Mbappe (initial: loan; to buy: €180m)
Total cost: €440.4m (€620.4m if Mbappe makes permanent move)
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
Results
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Bawaasil, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Bochart, Fabrice Veron, Satish Seemar
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Mutaraffa, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Rare Ninja, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alfareeq, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Zorion, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
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More coverage from the Future Forum
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
England XI for second Test
Rory Burns, Keaton Jennings, Ben Stokes, Joe Root (c), Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes (wk), Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Jack Leach, James Anderson
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
RESULTS
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The%20specs
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Stan%20Lee
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