Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi awarded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Egypt’s highest honor as the two countries tightened their partnership. The leaders signed a declaration elevating Egyptian-Indo ties to a “strategic partnership,” which means the two nations agreed to intensify their cooperation and hold periodic talks. Egypt and India share deep ties that date back to the 1950s, when they played key roles in founding the Non-Aligned Movement. Modi is the first Indian prime minister to pay a state visit to Egypt in more than two decades. The two leaders discussed increasing bilateral trade, with the goal of reaching $12 billion annually within five years. They also signed agreements in the fields of agriculture, archaeology, antiquities, and competition law. Both countries have resisted pressure to condemn the Russian war in Ukraine, highlighting their desire to play a defining role on the global stage. Modi’s visit to Egypt followed his trip to the United States, where he held talks with President Joe Biden and top administration officials.