New Delhi: India would raise with Egypt, a key member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the issue of the group’s stance on Kashmir, when its President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi holds meetings with top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi here during his visit from September 1.

Asserting that there was a “gap” between what some of the OIC countries convey to India in private and the position of their organisation, Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations) in External Affairs Ministry, said India would like them to make their position public.

During the visit of Sisi, who will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, officials and business leaders, key issues like terrorism and deepening economic engagement will be discussed extensively.

Cooperation in counter-terrorism has always been an important part of India’s ties with North Africa and this time too this will remain one of the focus areas, Sinha said.

During the visit, which comes at the invitation of President Pranab Mukherjee, Sisi will meet Modi, Vice President Hamid Ansari and a host of other leaders.

Sinha also noted that political, economic and cultural exchanges were three important components of the bilateral ties.

During his visit, the President is expected to meet business leaders from India and Egypt.

Both countries also have a strong economic relationship.

India is Egypt’s sixth largest trading partner and there is an active cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

PTI