India, Egypt to cooperate in fight against terrorism

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Egyptian President AbdelFattah elSissi during their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Friday Pic PTINew Delhi Following bilateral talks with visiting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi here on Friday Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and Egypt would cooperate in the fight against terrorism through greater information and operational exchangesPresident and I are of one view that growing radicalisation increasing violence and spread of terror pose a real threat not just to our two countries but also to nations and communities across regions Modi said in a joint pres statement with Sisi following delegationlevel talks between the two sidesIn this context we agreed to further our defence and security engagement which would aim at expanding defence trade training and capacity building greater information and operational exchanges to combat terrorism cooperation on emerging challenges of cyber security and working together to fight drug trafficking transnational crimes and moneylaundering he statedDescribing Egypt as a natural bridge between Asia and Africa Modi said Your people are a voice of moderate Islam And your nation a factor for regional peace and stability in Africa and the Arab worldThe Prime Minister said that he and President Sisi have agreed on an action oriented agenda to drive the two countries engagementsAn agenda that responds to our socioeconomic priorities promotes trade and investment ties secures our societies helps build peace and harmony in our region and advances our engagement on regional and international issues he saidModi said that he and Sisi have agreed to build IndiaEgypt ties on multiple pillars of cooperationWe recognised that strong trade and investment linkages are essential for economic prosperity of our societies he saidWe therefore agreed that increased flow of goods services and capital between our two economieshas to be among our key prioritiesModi said that the agreement on cooperation in maritime transport that was signed on Friday following the delegationlevel talks would be an important facilitatorI would also urge our private sector to take the lead in building new business and commercial partnerships between the two countries he saidTo diversify the portfolio of economic engagement we will also deepen our cooperation in agriculture skill development small and medium industry and health sectorsDescribing India and Egypt as two ancient and proud civilizations with rich cultural heritage Modi said he and Sisi also decided to facilitate greater peopletopeople contacts and cultural exchangesOn the global level he said India appreciated the good work Egypt has been doing during its current term on the UN Security CouncilOur decision to consult more closely on regional and global issues both at the UN and outside will benefit our common interests the Prime Minister saidWe agreed that the UN Security Council needs to be reformed to reflect the realities of today he saidSisi arrived here on Thursday on a threeday official visit to India at the invitation of President Pranab MukherjeeThis is the first bilateral presidential visit from Egypt to India since the visit of then President Mohamed MorsiSisi visited New Delhi in October last year to attend the India Africa Forum Summit