IAF Chief to visit Egypt for bilateral talks

The Indian Air Force Chief RKS Bhaduria will embark a four-day visit to Egypt starting on December 24, 2019. The aim of the visit is to strengthen long-standing relations between India and Egypt.

Highlights

During his visit, the chief has scheduled to visit operational and training establishments of the Egyptian Air Force. Also, he will interact with senior officials of the Egyptian armed forces.

India-Egypt

India is the fourth largest trading partner of Egypt following US, Italy and Saudi Arabia. The trade between the countries have been tradition. India imported 1.29 billion USD worth goods (2017-18 and exported 2.39 billion USD worth goods.

Why is Defence ties with Egypt important?

Egypt controls the Suez Canal. It has been insisting India to invest in the expansion programme of Suez Canal Economic Zone. China and US have already invested their share and India has positive plans towards the investment of the expansion.

Also, the investments of India in the country has been growing in the recent years. In 2018, Indian investments in the country amounted to 3 billion USD and is increasing. Therefore, it becomes essential for India to establish good defence relations with the country for the security of the traded goods and their transport through the canal.

India-Egypt Exercises

As of 2019, Egypt has not participated in individual military exercises with India. However, it has participated in joint military exercises along with other African nations.

India hosted defence exercise for 17 African called AFINDEX-19 that was held at Pune. The African countries that participated in the exercise include Egypt, Niger, Ghana, Uganda, etc. Apart from this, India also hosted IAFTX (India Africa Field Training Exercise) in March 2019.

Therefore, it is important for India to strengthen its defence ties with Egypt to increase its presence in the African Continent

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2019