Press Release No. 56

18 November 2008

Joint Declaration on the State Visit of H. E. Mr. Mohamed Hosny Mubarak, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt

(16-19 November 2008)

18/11/2008

The President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Hosny Mubarak, paid a State visit to India from 16 to 19 November 2008 at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh. President Mubarak was accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior officials and a business delegation.

2. President Mubarak called on the President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil. The Vice-President of India, Shri Mohammed Hamid Ansari, the External Affairs Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee and the Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, Smt. Sonia Gandhi called on President Mubarak. The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, hosted a banquet in honour of President Mubarak.

3. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh held delegation-level discussions with H.E. President Hosny Mubarak on 18 November, 2008. They expressed satisfaction over the evolution of bilateral relations in recent years and directed that exchanges and consultations should be further intensified in order to realise the full potential of the relationship.

4. The two leaders decided to establish a mechanism for a strategic dialogue at the level of External Affairs Minister / Minister of Foreign Affairs or their representatives to revitalise the current mechanism for regular political consultations on bilateral, regional and international issues. Such dialogue could be held either at the respective capitals or on the sidelines of multilateral fora. The two sides also agreed to institute a security policy dialogue at the relevant level. Whenever necessary, expert committees or working groups could be constituted under this mechanism by mutual consent.

5. The two leaders also exchanged views on a wide range of issues of bilateral and international interest including those relating to the situation in West Asia/ Middle East, the Non-aligned Movement, the reform of the United Nations as well as bilateral economic cooperation and investment matters and cooperation in the peaceful uses of space and peaceful nuclear energy co-operation issues were discussed.

6. The two leaders reiterated their well-known support for the Palestinian cause in line with their backing of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) calling for a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable, contiguous and united State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel as endorsed in the Quartet Roadmap and United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1397 and 1515. India reiterated its support for the Arab Peace Plan. The two leaders called for an end to the expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine and for an early and significant easing of restrictions on the free movement of persons and goods within Palestine. Both sides agreed that peace in the region requires sustained and substantial negotiations among the parties. They advocated active support of the international community and regional players for efforts in normalizing the situation in West Asia and Middle East, and resuming dialogue on all tracks. India conveyed its appreciation for the role of moderation played by Egypt over the years, and especially for the statesmanship and leadership role of President Hosny Mubarak, in promoting the peace process in West Asia and working towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian State. The Egyptian side deeply appreciated India's traditional and steadfast commitment to the Palestinian cause and in consistently supporting the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.

7. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh conveyed felicitations to His Excellency President Hosny Mubarak for Egypt being chosen as the next chair of the Non-Aligned Movement. In this regard, he wished Egypt a successful summit in 2009 and pledged India's support and co-operation for Egypt's chairmanship.

8. India and Egypt will continue to work together to strengthen the central role of the United Nations in maintaining peace and security. They also emphasised the need for acceleration of the process of United Nations reform so as to reflect contemporary realities.

9. India and Egypt strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Both sides consider terrorism to be one of the gravest threats to international peace and security, and affirm that there can be no justification for any act of terrorism, irrespective of motivations, wherever and by whosoever committed. They are convinced that terrorism cannot, and should not, be associated with any nationality, religious, cultural or ethnic group. They reaffirm their resolve to strengthen their cooperation in combating terrorism at all levels.

10. The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil conferred the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding for the year 1995 on His Excellency, President Hosny Mubarak at an impressive function attended by the Vice-President of India, Shri Mohamed Hamid Ansari, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and other dignitaries.

11. His Excellency, President Hosny Mubarak addressed a meeting of the India-Egypt Business Forum organised jointly by the Association of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (ASSOCHAM), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

12. The two countries will cooperate closely in the field of technology, in particular in information and communications technologies; agriculture; biotechnology; and non-conventional energy technologies. They will work towards enhancing cooperation in the fields of science and technology, tourism, youth affairs and sports, agriculture research and education, technical education and vocational training and other fields of mutual benefit.

13. India and Egypt discussed intensification of cooperation in the ICT sector by facilitating and providing assistance to help promote trade and technology sector. They took note of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Information Technology and the several agreements signed between training institutions in India and Egypt in the field of Information Technology. They also took note of the establishment in Egypt of business development centres by some of the leading Indian IT majors.

14. India and Egypt will work towards expanding cooperation between their respective oil companies, both in the public and private sectors, for establishing long-term relationships in supply of crude oil and petroleum products, upstream and downstream joint ventures, refineries, petrochemical industries and marketing, both in Egypt and India and internationally, as permitted by their respective laws and regulations.

15. During their discussions, India and Egypt expressed concern over the adverse impact, particularly on developing countries, of the ongoing global financial crisis. The two sides will consult each other on the matter. They will also closely consult on the important issues of food and energy security.

16. Recalling the celebrations of the "Days of Egypt in India" in 2007 and the celebrations held recently to mark the "Days of India in Egypt", India and Egypt welcomed ongoing efforts towards developing partnerships between institutions of the two countries in the areas of culture, Indian and Egyptian studies and languages.

17. The following documents were signed at the conclusion of the talks between the Prime Minister of India and the President of Egypt:

(i) Extradition Treaty between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt

(ii) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt on abolition of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, special and official/service passports

(iii) Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt on Cooperation in the field of Health & Medicine

(iv) Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt on Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes.

(v) Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt on Trade and Technical Cooperation.

18. His Excellency President Hosny Mubarak invited the President and the Prime Minister of India to visit Egypt at a mutually convenient time. The invitations have been accepted.

19. His Excellency President Hosny Mubarak expressed deep gratitude and appreciation to the President and the Prime Minister of India for the warmth of the reception accorded to him and to his delegation during their stay.

New Delhi, 18 November 2008