Egyptian President for deeper anti-terror ties with India

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Egyptian President Abdel Fattahal-Sisi today conveyed to India that he wants to takeanti-terror cooperation between the two countries to a "wholenew level" and pitched for "strong collective action" againstradicalisation. President al-Sisi, who arrived here today on a three-dayvisit, said this when External Affairs Minister called on him. The Egyptian President and Prime Minister Narendra Modiwill hold wide-ranging talks tomorrow with an aim to furtherexpand the bilateral ties. At the meeting, Swaraj told Sisi that his visit providedan opportunity to upgrade security ties and anti-terrorcooperation between the two countries. In this context shementioned the need for early finalisation of the ComprehensiveConvention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN. President Sisi concurred, and said that he wanted to takeanti-terror cooperation to a whole new level. In particular,he urged strong collective action against radicalisation andrecruitment for terrorism, offficial sources said. Talking about Egypt’s ties with India, the visitingPresident remained "very resilient" and conveyed to Swarajthat his visit will lead to a "quantum leap in bilateralties". He recalled his previous meetings with Modi and expressedhis desire to take the bilateral relationship to a new level. Al-Sisi spoke about his government’s efforts to upgradeinfrastructure and said Egypt was keen on working inpartnership with all "those who want to work with us". The sources said he "positively assessed" the role ofIndian investment in Egypt which had touched USD 3 billion andsought greater trade and investment ties with India. He also expressed appreciation for India’s recent supplyof 20,000 tonnes of rice, at very short notice, when Egypt wasfacing shortage of the commodity. Swaraj said bilateral trade was still below potential andoutlined some of the far reaching economic reforms andflagship initiatives taken by the government. She said, apart from rice, Egypt could import wheat andmilk, in both of which India was a world leader. The two leaders also discussed cooperation in tourism andenhancing people-to-people ties. Swaraj recalled how the "India by the Nile" and TagoreFestival in Egypt had seen large-scale participation by thepeople of Egypt. President al-Sisi recalled the popularity of Indian filmsin Egypt. PTI MPBSK