India Egypt Defence Talks Deepen Strategic Ties

Cairo, April 23, 2026: India and Egypt held the 11th Joint Defence Committee meeting in Cairo, where both sides reviewed ongoing cooperation and outlined plans to further strengthen bilateral defence ties. The discussions took place from April 20 to 22 with participation from senior officials of both countries.

The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary for International Cooperation Amitabh Prasad along with representatives from the Ministry of Defence and armed forces. The Egyptian side was represented by senior officials from its defence ministry and military leadership.

During the meeting, both countries assessed progress made since the previous round and agreed on a defence cooperation plan for the coming year. The plan focuses on expanding military engagement, enhancing joint training programmes and strengthening maritime security cooperation.

Both sides also discussed increasing the scale and complexity of joint military exercises while exploring collaboration in defence production and technology.

India highlighted the growth of its defence manufacturing sector, noting significant production capacity and exports to multiple countries. The two nations agreed to work towards a structured defence industry partnership, including opportunities for joint development and production.

On the sidelines, the first Navy level staff discussions were held, focusing on maritime security and cooperation. India’s role in ensuring safe navigation and regional coordination was highlighted during these talks.

The Indian delegation also met senior officials of the Egyptian Air Force and reviewed ongoing cooperation between the two air forces.

As part of the visit, the delegation paid tribute at a war memorial in Cairo, honouring Indian soldiers who lost their lives during global conflicts.

India and Egypt have strengthened defence relations in recent years, especially after signing a cooperation agreement in 2022 and elevating ties to a strategic partnership in 2023.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to enhancing defence cooperation and maintaining regional stability.