PM Narendra Modi has spoken with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and exchanged views on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in West Asia. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and exchanged views on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in West Asia.

After his telephonic conversation with Mr. Sisi, PM Modi said that “we share concerns regarding terrorism, violence and loss of civilian lives”.

In a post on X, PM Modi said on Sunday, “Yesterday, spoke with President @AlsisiOfficial. Exchanged views on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in West Asia.” “We share concerns regarding terrorism, violence and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early restoration of peace and stability and facilitating humanitarian assistance,” he said.

A statement issued by the Egyptian side said President El-Sisi received a phone call from Prime Minister Modi and the two leaders exchanged views on the latest developments in the Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.

They also discussed the gravity of the continuation of the current escalation, given its formidable impact on the lives of civilians and the threat it poses to the security of the entire region, the statement said.

Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency, Counselor Ahmed Fahmy, said President El-Sisi confirmed that Egypt is pursuing its endeavours to coordinate regional and international efforts to push towards reaching a ceasefire.

The President warned of the grievous humanitarian and security repercussions of a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, the statement said.

He underscored the critical need for unified international action to find a prompt solution at the diplomatic level, which stipulates reinforcing an immediate humanitarian truce that protects the lives of civilians and allows the instantaneous, sustainable and unfettered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, in accordance with the resolution of the U.N. General Assembly in this regard, which was adopted on October 27, it said.

President El-Sisi and Prime Minister Modi expressed relief at the outstanding level of the two countries’ bilateral relations and strategic partnership, the statement said.

They stressed their determination to continue to lead the two countries’ institutions to further strengthen joint cooperation between Egypt and India, the statement issued by the Egyptian side said.

Cairo:

Indian Air Force (IAF) IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft refuelled aircraft from the Egyptian Air Force during Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23, informed Indian Air Force on Sunday.

Taking to X, (formerly Twitter), IAF said, “Showcasing the bonds of friendship in the skies over Egypt during Exercise Bright Star, where the Indian Air Force IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft refuelled aircraft from the Egyptian Air Force”.

Bonds of friendship in the skies over Egypt.

Snippets from the #ExerciseBrightStar, where the #IAF IL-78 AAR aircraft refuelled aircraft from the Egyptian Air Force.@EgyArmySpox@indembcairo#DiplomatsInFlightSuitspic.twitter.com/u0ZlbuXLzz

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 3, 2023

Earlier, in a significant move towards fostering global defence cooperation, an Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent reached the Egyptian Air Force Base to participate in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23 on Monday.

“Touchdown at the Egyptian Air Force base in Cairo. Our home for the next three weeks”, informed the Indian Air Force on X, formerly Twitter.

The IAF contingent will take part in the biennial multilateral tri-service exercise at Cairo (West) Air Base, which started on Sunday and will culminate on September 16, the Ministry of Defence informed through a press release.

This will mark the first participation of the IAF in Ex BRIGHT STAR-23, which will also see the participation of air force contingents from the US, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar.

The Indian Air Force contingent comprises 5 MiG-29s, 2 IL-78s, two C-130s and two C-17 aircraft. Personnel from the IAF’s Garud Special Forces, as well as those from the Numbers 28, 77, 78 and 81 squadrons will also be participating in the exercise. The IAF transport aircraft will provide airlift to approximately 150 personnel from the Indian Army.

The IAF’s participation is not just aimed at boosting global defence cooperation but practice planning and execution of joint operations. Besides fostering a stronger bonding of air warriors beyond borders, such exercises also provide a means to further strategic relations between participating nations, an MoD release stated earlier.IAF contingents participating in such exercises abroad are thus no less than Diplomats in Flight Suits, the release added.

India and Egypt have traditionally had an exceptional relationship and deep cooperation, with the two countries jointly undertaking the development of aero-engine and aircraft in the 1960s and the training of Egyptian pilots by their Indian counterparts.

The relationship between the two countries was further strengthened with the recent visits by the Chief of Air Forces of the two countries and the Indian Defence Minister and Prime Minister to Egypt. The two countries have also enhanced their joint training with regular exercises between their Armed Forces.