Cairo, Jul 3 (DNS) India and Egypt have agreed to enhance bilateral ties, especially in the areas of trade and economy but New Delhi voiced its inability to have nuclear energy cooperation with Cairo.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who wrapped up a three-day visit to Egypt today, said Indian investment in the Arab nation is expected to triple to nearly USD two billion from the current USD 750 million.
During his visit, Mukherjee called on President Hosni Mubarak in the scenic port city of Sharm el-Shekih and held talks with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Abul Gheit here.
Mukherjee discussed with Mubarak ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of trade and economy.
Mubarak said he was keen to visit India later this year.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the growing bilateral trade and hoped that the economic relations between the two countries would be more robust.
India was the largest importer of Egyptian products and the Arab nation's fourth largest trading partner last year। The bilateral trade between the two countries is around USD three billion.
Several Indian corporates, including the Tata Group and Aditya Birla Group, have lined up projects in Egypt.
"The potential is immense and therefore we would like to expand these possibilities," Mukherjee said.
Egypt will host the sixth session of the Joint Commission next year which is expected to further strengthen the bilateral relations, official sources said.
Referring to the issue of bilateral nuclear cooperation, Mukherjee told reporters India would not be able to help Egypt develop its civil nuclear programme as New Delhi was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. DNS
कोई टिप्पणी नहीं:
एक टिप्पणी भेजें