India and Egypt marked a significant step in their defence partnership by holding the inaugural Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks (NNST) in Cairo on April 24, 2026. Conducted on the sidelines of the 11th India-Egypt Joint Defence Committee meeting, the talks highlighted growing maritime cooperation between the two nations.
Both sides discussed key areas such as operational coordination, joint training, maritime domain awareness, and collaboration in naval technologies and shipbuilding. The discussions underscored maritime cooperation as a central pillar of India-Egypt defence ties.
During the Joint Defence Committee meeting, the delegations reviewed progress made since previous engagements and outlined a forward-looking roadmap for defence cooperation. They agreed on a defence cooperation plan for 2026–27, focusing on structured military interactions, enhanced joint exercises, and deeper maritime security collaboration.
The talks also emphasized expanding defence industry cooperation, with India showcasing its rapidly growing manufacturing capabilities. With defence production crossing $20 billion and exports reaching over $4 billion to more than 100 countries, India positioned itself as a strong partner for co-development and co-production initiatives.
Overall, the engagement reflects a shared commitment by India and Egypt to strengthen strategic ties, enhance regional maritime security, and deepen collaboration across defence and industrial sectors.
