India, Egypt to step up defence ties, fight crime together

TIL Desk/National/New Delhi-Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a joint statement with visiting Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi shortly after the talks between the two leaders.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Modi said:

* President el-Sisi and I have agreed to build on multiple pillars of our relationship (India-Egypt).

* We will also deepen our cooperation in agriculture, skill development and health sectors.

* Egypt is a natural bridge between Asia & Africa.

* Growing radicalisation and terror pose a threat not only to our two countries but to the world.

* Your (Egypt) people are a voice of moderate Islam, your nation is a factor for regional peace and stability.

* We agreed that the UN security council needs to be reformed to reflect the realities of today.

* We agreed to further our defence and security engagement which would aim at greater info & operational exchanges to combat terrorism.

* We also agreed on co-operation (India-Egypt) on challenges of cyber security and working together to fight transnational crimes & money-laundering.