New Delhi, Nov 18 (ANI): Egyptian President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak, who arrived on a four-day visit to India on Sunday boost economic ties with India, received a ceremonial reception here today.
Egypt has been an important trading partner of India. The two countries now want to expand the basket of trade and are negotiating a free trade Agreement.
Enthused by a 112 percent surge in the bilateral trade in 2006, both countries now want to boost their two-way trade to 10 billion dollars by 2010. Their mutual trade is currently poised to touch the 2.5 billion dollar mark.
Egypt and India inked cooperation agreements covering economic and trade areas. Several other agreements on information and legal domains are also expected to be signed between the two countries.
The focus of Mubarak’’s visit will be on intensifying strategic and economic cooperation between India and Egypt. The two countries are old friends and founders of the non-aligned movement and South-South cooperation.
During his visit, Mubarak will meet President Pratibha Patil and hold delegation level talks with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
He will also meet Vice President Hamid Ansari, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani.
Mubarak is visiting India after 25 years. He last came here in 1983 on a state visit. (ANI)