Lead:
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi today, where he met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to discuss regional stability and the Palestinian question. El-Sisi also participated in a working dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and engaged in multiple bilateral and multilateral sessions. Egyptian political leaders and observers characterized Egypt's participation as reinforcing the nation's international standing and economic integration within the emerging economies grouping.
Details:
According to reporting from Elbalad and Elfagr news outlets, El-Sisi met bilaterally with President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia on the summit sidelines. Both leaders reaffirmed their opposition to the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland and stressed the necessity of reaching a just settlement to the Palestinian question through political means. Elbalad reported that the two presidents emphasized the importance of civilian transition and peaceful conflict resolution, specifically in reference to the ongoing situation in Sudan, where the United Arab Emirates has similarly called for a non-military path to ending the war.
The Indian Ministry and multiple Egyptian news sources confirmed that El-Sisi participated in a working dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India's Ambassador to Cairo, Suresh K. Reddy, praised the meeting between the two leaders, highlighting that Egypt's membership in BRICS strengthens the organization's standing on the global stage. According to Elfagr, El-Sisi also participated in a tree-planting ceremony organized by the Indian presidency of BRICS and toured an exhibition commemorating twenty years since the bloc's founding.
In remarks reported by Elfagr, El-Sisi stated that Egypt views BRICS as a promising opportunity and effective framework for building practical partnerships that support development. He further expressed Egypt's interest in assuming the presidency of BRICS in a future rotation. The president emphasized that ensuring maritime stability is a foundational pillar for promoting international security and development, alluding to tensions affecting global commerce and energy flows. El-Sisi also underscored food security, water security, and energy security as priorities for developing nations facing mounting climate and geopolitical pressures.
Domestic political parties responded positively to Egypt's participation. According to multiple outlets, representatives from the Republican People's Party, the Millennials Party, and the Reform and Renaissance Party characterized El-Sisi's involvement as reflecting Egypt's regional and international weight, positioning the nation at the center of the evolving global economic order.
Watch For:
— Formal announcement of BRICS presidency rotation and Egypt's candidacy timeline for leadership roles within the bloc.
— Outcomes of bilateral cooperation agreements signed during the summit, particularly in trade, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
— Implementation of the Palestinian and Sudan positions affirmed by El-Sisi and Subianto, including any joint diplomatic initiatives launched at the summit.