Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi arrived in New Delhi on Friday to lead his country’s delegation to the 18th BRICS Summit, reinforcing Cairo’s growing engagement with the emerging economic and political grouping.
The summit, hosted by India on 12 and 13 September, is being held under the theme “Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The event is expected to bring together leaders and senior representatives from BRICS member states, as well as partner countries, for discussions focused on international cooperation, economic development and shared responses to global challenges.
President El-Sisi landed at Palam Air Base, where he was received by Indian Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth. The welcoming delegation also included Palam Air Base Commander Brigadier General Vijay Rao, Suresh Kumar, director of the North Africa and West Asia division at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Indian protocol official Nisha Dhawal.
Egypt’s Ambassador to India, Khaled Galal, and members of the Egyptian Embassy in New Delhi were also present at the airport to welcome the president.
The Egyptian presidency described President El-Sisi’s participation as an important continuation of Egypt’s involvement in BRICS activities. This year’s meeting marks Egypt’s third consecutive BRICS summit since the country formally joined the group in January 2024.
Egypt’s membership has provided Cairo with a broader platform for engaging with major emerging economies and strengthening cooperation with countries across Asia, Africa and other regions of the Global South. The BRICS framework has also become an important forum for discussions on economic coordination, development financing, trade and the reform of international institutions.
During the summit, President El-Sisi is scheduled to address the closed session of BRICS leaders on 12 September. He will then speak at the expanded session on 13 September, which is expected to include representatives from both BRICS member states and partner countries.
The Egyptian president is also expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit. These meetings will involve several BRICS leaders and senior officials from international organizations. Discussions are likely to cover bilateral relations, economic cooperation and regional and international developments, although the Egyptian presidency did not provide details of the planned meetings.
President El-Sisi’s visit comes as Egypt seeks to deepen its diplomatic and economic relationships with influential international partners. Cairo has repeatedly emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation with emerging economies and supporting a stronger role for developing countries in global decision-making.
India’s hosting of the summit offers an additional opportunity for Egypt to strengthen ties with New Delhi. The two countries have maintained longstanding political relations, while economic and diplomatic contacts have expanded in recent years. Egypt’s participation also reflects its interest in using multilateral forums to promote cooperation on issues affecting developing economies, including investment, infrastructure, technology and sustainable development.
The summit’s theme places particular emphasis on resilience and sustainability, issues that have gained importance amid economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and disruptions affecting global supply chains. Innovation and cooperation are also expected to feature prominently as participating countries consider ways to advance growth and improve coordination among emerging markets.
For Egypt, the summit provides a platform to present its views on international affairs while highlighting its position as a bridge between Africa, the Arab world and wider global markets. Cairo’s involvement in BRICS has allowed it to participate in high-level discussions with countries that play a major role in global trade, finance, energy and diplomacy.
Egypt’s delegation will remain in New Delhi throughout the two-day summit, with President El-Sisi’s official programme centered on the leaders’ sessions and bilateral discussions. His participation underscores the importance Cairo attaches to its BRICS membership and to its expanding relations with the group’s members and partner countries.
As the summit proceeds, attention will focus on the leaders’ discussions and the priorities that emerge from the meetings. Egypt is expected to use the gathering to advance its diplomatic contacts, explore further economic partnerships and contribute to debates on strengthening cooperation among developing and emerging economies.
