India and Egypt held the 11th meeting of their Joint Defence Committee (JDC) in Cairo from 20 to 22 April, and agreed to expand defence cooperation across training, maritime security, military exercises, and defence production. The meeting also outlined a roadmap for future engagement, including a forward-looking plan for 2026-27. The talks reflected the steady rise in bilateral defence ties since the two countries signed a defence cooperation memorandum in 2022 and elevated relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2023.
Key Outcomes of the JDC Meeting
The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Amitabh Prasad and included senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces. The Egyptian side was represented by senior defence officials. Both sides reviewed progress since the last JDC and identified new areas for structured military engagement.
Focus on Training and Maritime Security
The discussions placed emphasis on:
- Expanded joint training exchanges.
- Greater scale and complexity in bilateral military exercises.
- Enhanced maritime security cooperation.
- Closer coordination on freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean region.
The inaugural Navy-to-Navy staff talks were also held on the sidelines. India brought into light the role of its Information Fusion Centre in strengthening maritime domain awareness.
Defence Production and Air Force Cooperation
Defence production and technology cooperation emerged as a major priority. India noted that its defence manufacturing output has crossed USD 20 billion, with exports of around USD 4 billion to more than 100 countries. Both sides agreed to explore co-development and co-production opportunities. The Indian delegation also met the Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, Lieutenant General Amr Abdel Rahman Saqr, and noted growing air force cooperation.
Historical and Strategic Significance
The delegation paid tribute at the Heliopolis War Memorial in honour of Indian soldiers who died during the World Wars. The latest meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and Egypt to regional security, stability, and deeper defence-industrial partnership.
Last Modified: April 25, 2026