Defence cooperation will boost India-Egypt ties
Sensing the global menace of Islamic jihad, the decision to counter the sizeable challenge of extremism and terrorism by both India and Egypt is a timely step. Willingness to enhance robust defence and security cooperation will go a long way in building a strong relationship between the two allies. The Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi's wish to take the anti-terror battle to a whole new level is remarkable as it will once again send a strong warning to the global jihadists forces like that of Islamic State which is penetrating across the world. It must also be noted that India and Egypt being two great stabilizing forces in the region has the advantage of tackling terror together by simply going beyond the traditional line. Sisi's stand on terror is significant in the sense that so far Egypt was standing in line with the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in criticising India for its actions in Jammu & Kashmir. So now India must ensure full cooperation from Egypt for its uncompromising stance on terror whether it is in J&K or anywhere else. In fact, the OIC had no locus standi on J&K, therefore it being an internal matter of India, it should have avoided raising the controversy.
Egypt is the current President of the UN Security Council's Counter Terrorism Council (CTC). This forum can rightly be used for calling uniform actions by all nations who are common enemy of global terror. India may ensure Egypt's cooperation for both raising and taking firm actions on jihadi outfits based in Pakistan like lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammaed. As Sisi has already been launching war against Islamists at home like the Muslim Brotherhood, so his approach towards India's handling of anti-national elements would really be supportive. Again, other vital issues like the Syrian civil war, Sisi has indicated a break from what the other members in the OIC said. To him fighting an all-out offensive against the notorious IS is more important while maintaining the territorial integrity, unity, national institutions and resources of Syria. This comes closer to what India has been arguing for Syria unlike the position taken by some influential regional players like Saudi Arabia and Qatar that removal of the embattled President Bashar Al Assad should come first rather than an outright war against the IS. Beyond terror, Egypt's invitation to India for investing in the country's grand New Suez Canal Project will be a new opportunity for the latter to enhance economic ties. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement for a new agreement in the field of maritime transport may engage both New Delhi and Cairo for a new round of projects in the years to come. India's recent celebration of the 'India by the Nile' in April this year in some major cities of Egypt, which was started four years ago symbolised the enduring connectivity of the two great civilisations of the world. And now in response to that Egypt's decision to organize 'Egypt by the Ganga' will not only re-energise cultural between the two countries but also can promote business endeavours on the sidelines of this fiesta. Understandably, India boosting her relationship with Egypt can contribute in the development of a rich narrative and a substantial dialogue for joining the cultural dots and in turn it can be used as a robust force fighting our common enemy of the Islamic jihadists. Delhi and Cairo must act together for a lasting partnership.