New Delhi: The 11th meeting of the India-Egypt Joint Defence Committee was held in Cairo from April 20 to 22, 2026, where both countries reviewed ongoing engagements and outlined new steps to strengthen defence ties.
The Indian delegation, led by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary for International Cooperation, included senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces. Egyptian representatives were led by senior officials from their Ministry of Defence and Defence Forces.
Discussions focused on expanding structured military interactions, increasing joint training exchanges, improving maritime security cooperation, and enhancing the scale and complexity of joint exercises. Both sides also agreed to push forward collaboration in defence production and technology under a cooperation plan for 2026–27.
India highlighted its growing defence manufacturing capabilities during the meeting, noting that production has crossed US $20 billion, with exports valued at around US $4 billion reaching more than 100 countries. Both nations agreed to develop a dedicated plan to boost defence industry cooperation, with co-development and co-production emerging as key areas of interest.
On the sidelines, the two sides held their first Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks. India presented the role of the Indian Navy in maintaining freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean region and highlighted the contribution of the Information Fusion Centre in strengthening maritime security.
The Indian delegation also met Lieutenant General Amr Abdel Rahman Saqr, Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, and expressed appreciation for ongoing cooperation between the two air forces.
During the visit, the delegation paid tribute at the Heliopolis War Memorial, honoring Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the World Wars.
Defence ties between India and Egypt have expanded steadily in recent years. A memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation was signed in September 2022 during a visit by India’s defence minister, and relations were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2023.
The latest meeting reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to strengthening defence collaboration and working together on regional security challenges.
BI Bureau
