NEW DELHI, 17 December 2006 — Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who arrived here on Friday evening, held talks with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee yesterday. During their meeting, Aboul Gheit handed over a written message addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from President Hosni Mubarak.
With India and Egypt keen on strengthening bilateral cooperation, “wide-ranging discussions were held in a friendly atmosphere and both sides exchanged views on various bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest,” Indian government sources said.
Reflecting on their partnership in the “foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement against colonialism and racial discrimination,” both sides “reiterated their desire to further strengthen the close and friendly ties between the two peoples and to provide a strong impetus to enhance bilateral cooperation,” the sources said.
Recognizing the immense potential for enhancing bilateral cooperation between India and Egypt, the countries “reiterated their commitment to diversify and deepen the scope of their economic, trade and cultural exchanges.” Besides, they identified promotion of investment flows, “as a means to strengthen bilateral commercial exchanges in this day and age of globalization and economic diplomacy,” they said.
Both countries expressed satisfaction at the increase in exchange of visits between officials and businessmen of the two countries. Several agreements were also signed. They included pacts to increase cultural cooperation, cooperation in science and technology, agriculture and bilateral air services.
