India, Egypt Strengthen Defence Ties at Cairo JDC Meet

The 11th meeting of the India-Egypt Joint Defence Committee (JDC) concluded in Cairo from April 20 to 22, 2026, with both sides reviewing ongoing cooperation and outlining a roadmap to deepen bilateral defence engagement.

The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Shri Amitabh Prasad and included senior representatives from the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces. The Egyptian side was represented by senior officials from its Defence Forces and Ministry of Defence.

Both countries undertook a comprehensive review of progress since the previous JDC meeting and agreed on a defence cooperation plan for 2026–27. The plan focuses on expanding structured military interaction mechanisms, strengthening joint training exchanges, enhancing maritime security cooperation, increasing the scope and complexity of military exercises, and promoting collaboration in defence production and technology.

During the meeting, the Indian delegation presented the growing capabilities of the domestic defence industry, noting that production has crossed $20 billion, with exports of approximately $4 billion to over 100 countries. Both sides agreed to work towards a dedicated defence industry cooperation plan, with co-development and co-production emerging as key areas of focus.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the inaugural Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks were held. The Indian side highlighted the role of its navy in ensuring freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean Region, as well as the contribution of India’s Information Fusion Centre in enhancing maritime security.

The Indian delegation also met Lieutenant General Amr Abdel Rahman Saqr, Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, and expressed appreciation for the growing cooperation between the air forces of the two countries.

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As part of the visit, the delegation laid a wreath at the Heliopolis War Memorial, paying tribute to Indian soldiers who lost their lives during World War I and II.

India and Egypt’s defence ties have seen steady expansion in recent years. A key milestone was the signing of a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation during the visit of India’s Defence Minister to Egypt in September 2022. The relationship was further elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2023.