Egypt and Indonesia discuss Nile water security, regional crises and bilateral ties, sign four cooperation agreements and target $5 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held talks in Jakarta, focusing on bilateral relations, Nile water security and regional developments. The meeting at Merdeka Palace reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership and expanding cooperation across political and economic sectors.
During the discussions, El-Sisi highlighted the Nile River’s critical importance to Egypt’s population and reiterated Cairo’s commitment to protecting its water rights. He opposed unilateral measures that could threaten Egypt’s water security or undermine its historical and acquired rights. Prabowo expressed support for Egypt’s efforts to safeguard its water interests and stressed the importance of respecting international law governing water resources.
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The two leaders also discussed developments in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, expressing concern over regional tensions and their implications for security and stability. They emphasized the need to reduce tensions, pursue political solutions and resolve disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. Both presidents underscored the importance of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity while strengthening international cooperation to address shared challenges.
Economic cooperation formed another major part of the discussions. El-Sisi and Prabowo agreed to work towards increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030, while identifying opportunities to expand investment, manufacturing and commercial exchanges. They also stressed the importance of translating their existing strategic partnership into practical programmes and projects that deliver tangible benefits for both countries.
The presidents witnessed the signing of four memoranda of understanding covering maritime affairs and fisheries, statistical cooperation, an action plan for the strategic partnership, and visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic, official and special passports. These agreements are intended to strengthen institutional coordination and create additional avenues for bilateral engagement.
The Palestinian issue also featured prominently in the talks. Both leaders reiterated their support for establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They emphasized diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace and highlighted the importance of humanitarian assistance for Palestinians.
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The meeting follows the establishment of the Egypt-Indonesia strategic partnership in April 2025. Through continued political consultations, economic collaboration and coordination on regional challenges, the two countries seek to deepen bilateral relations and contribute to regional stability.