India and Egypt have reaffirmed their strategic commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms, following the 4th Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism held in Cairo on Wednesday. The meeting marked a significant step forward in the countries’ collaborative efforts to address both conventional and emerging security challenges.
During the session, the two nations strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which targeted domestic and international tourists. Egypt expressed firm solidarity with India, underscoring its support in the fight against terrorism aimed at destabilizing peace and security in the region.
The discussions were led by Ambassador KD Dewal, Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism at India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Ambassador Walid Al-Fiqi, Director of the Department of Counter Terrorism at Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Representatives from multiple agencies on both sides participated, exploring avenues to bolster cooperation in areas such as countering the use of cryptocurrencies, unmanned aerial systems, and the spread of extremist propaganda through cyberspace.
India and Egypt agreed to intensify efforts in critical domains like anti-money laundering, drug trafficking, and combating transnational organized crime. Both sides highlighted the need for enhanced training, capacity building, and the use of advanced technologies—including Artificial Intelligence (AI)—to strengthen counter-terrorism capabilities.
On the international front, the two delegations discussed ways to enhance coordination in global forums including the United Nations, BRICS, the Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF), and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). They also reiterated their shared support for the early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), a long-pending initiative in global counter-terrorism efforts.
The next meeting of the Joint Working Group is set to take place in India at a mutually agreed time.
This engagement reflects the broader and deepening India-Egypt relationship, which has been reinforced through consistent diplomatic engagement, military cooperation, and shared interests in global platforms. Notably, 2024 saw joint air force exercises and the 10th Joint Defence Committee meeting in New Delhi, further solidifying the countries’ commitment to regional and global security.
