Egypt a natural bridge between Asia and Africa: PM Modi.

NEW DELHI: "Egypt is a natural bridge between Asia and Africa," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.

"President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and I held extensive discussions on the shape and substance of our partnership. We have agreed to build on multiple pillars of our relationship," PM Modi said in a joint press conference with the Egyptian President here.

"We also agreed to further our defence and security engagement which would aim at greater information and operational exchanges to combat terrorism," Modi said, adding that the growing radicalisation and terror pose a threat not only to India and Egypt but to the world as well.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi is on a three-day visit to India. Sisi is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, top officials and business leaders.

India and Egypt have a strong economic relationship. India is the sixth largest trading partner of Egypt -- the second largest export destination. India's imports from Egypt were worth $1.74 billion during 2014-15.

Indian businessmen have invested nearly $3 billion in about 50 companies in Egypt and have given employment opportunities to around 35,000 Egyptians.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com