In 1956, when British and French forces advanced towards the Suez Canal and Israeli troops entered the Sinai, India condemned the Anglo-French-Israeli military intervention and backed Egypt’s right to control the canal. Five years later, in 1961, when Indian forces moved to liberate Goa from Portuguese rule, Egypt reciprocated by preventing Portuguese reinforcements from travelling through the Suez Canal.
These episodes highlight the longstanding strength of ties between New Delhi and Cairo. After gaining independence from British rule, both countries played a key role in establishing the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which sought to remain outside the rival US and Soviet blocs during the Cold War. Their relationship remains strong today, particularly in areas such as trade and defence. This longstanding partnership with India could be one factor behind Egypt’s reluctance to join the Mecca Pact.
The Mecca Pact is a three-way collective defence agreement signed by Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on August 7. Since its formation, leaders of the grouping, which has been described by some as an “Islamic Nato”, have openly expressed their intention to expand the alliance by bringing additional countries on board.
Egypt, which possesses Africa’s most powerful military, has emerged as one of the leading potential additions, along with Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Azerbaijan and Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described Cairo as a “natural partner” and said only “technical issues” stood in the way of its potential membership.
On paper, Egypt appears to be a strong candidate. It has the most powerful military in Africa, with more than 4.4 lakh personnel and hundreds of modern tanks and aircraft, many obtained through US military assistance. It also controls the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most important maritime routes linking Europe and Asia.
There are also voices within Egypt supporting membership. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said last week that Cairo was “seriously considering” joining the pact, subject to constitutional and legal scrutiny of the defence commitments involved. However, opposition from Saudi Arabia, combined with Cairo’s desire to preserve its relationships with countries such as India, has so far kept Egypt outside the alliance.
India and Egypt also share deep civilisational links dating back to at least the 3rd century BCE. Their relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2023, while the two countries maintain close military ties and conduct joint exercises.
Around 700 Indian companies are registered in Egypt, with approximately 70 operating there and investments exceeding $5.5 billion. Indian companies also have substantial investments in the UAE, which is currently at odds with Saudi Arabia. The Economic Times reported on Tuesday that Indian importer, storage and oil distribution company Aegis Logistics is in advanced talks to acquire UAE-based Tristar, West Asia’s largest liquid logistics company, which is valued at more than $1.5 billion.
OPPOSITION IN SAUDI ARABIA TO EGYPT JOINING THE MECCA PACT
Ironically, while Turkey is strongly advocating Egypt’s inclusion in the Mecca Pact, Saudi Arabia appears much more reluctant.
According to the UK-based Middle East Eye, Saudi Arabia, one of the three founding members of the alliance, has opposed Egypt joining, at least for now.
Three Saudi sources familiar with the discussions told the publication that Riyadh’s position stems from increasing frustration with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s government and the perception that Egypt no longer provides the strategic or military value it once did.
Middle East Eye reported that Saudi Arabia’s opposition comes amid growing tensions with Cairo. Riyadh provided around $25 billion to support Sisi’s government after he came to power in 2013, but Saudi officials have reportedly become dissatisfied with what they view as a lack of reciprocal assistance.
One source cited by the publication pointed to Egypt’s “minimal and unreliable” involvement in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia has been fighting Iranian-backed Houthi forces since 2015, as well as Cairo’s alignment with the UAE.
The UAE is one of India’s closest partners in the Middle East, while Abu Dhabi and Riyadh are engaged in a wider strategic, economic and foreign policy rivalry.
A former senior Saudi adviser was quoted as saying that Egypt had historically depended on Saudi Arabia and the US without providing sufficient returns.
Although Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has described Egypt as a “natural partner” and pushed for its inclusion, Saudi sources rejected suggestions that Cairo had voluntarily chosen not to join. The former adviser dismissed that claim, arguing that Sisi would have been eager to join if it offered financial benefits.
Middle East Eye also reported that Saudi Arabia considers Turkey and Pakistan more dependable partners. The former adviser said senior Saudi decision-makers had serious concerns about Sisi’s reliability, while leaving open the possibility of Egypt joining in the future if its position changes.
EGYPT HAS STRONG ECONOMIC TIES WITH INDIA
Saudi opposition is not the only explanation for Egypt remaining outside the pact. Cairo’s broader foreign policy may also make it cautious about joining a military bloc that could affect some of its important international relationships.
Egypt maintains friendly relations with several countries whose interests do not always align with those of the three Mecca Pact members. These include Greece and Cyprus, which have longstanding disputes with Turkey; the UAE; Israel, with which Egypt has maintained a peace treaty since 1973; and India.
A report by Egyptian publication Mada Masr, citing diplomats and other sources, suggested that preserving this strategic flexibility is central to Cairo’s approach.
A senior Egyptian diplomat told the publication that Cairo wants to maintain a “balanced relationship with all parties” and avoid regional alliances that could restrict its foreign policy choices. The BBC and Middle East Eye have also cited the Mada Masr report.
A former Arab diplomat quoted by Mada Masr said Egypt was wary of Turkey’s complicated relationship with Greece and Cyprus, as well as its expanding economic relationship with India.
The diplomat argued that Egypt was unlikely to enter a defence agreement with Turkey given Ankara’s complex ties with Greece and Cyprus. Similarly, Egypt could find it difficult to join a defence pact with Pakistan while simultaneously negotiating to strengthen its economic relationship with India.
WILL EGYPT JOIN THE MECCA PACT? UAE IS A KEY FACTOR
Cairo must also consider its relationship with the UAE.
Egypt has a defence treaty with the UAE and, according to Middle East Eye, deployed Rafale fighter aircraft in response to Iranian attacks on the UAE in May. At the same time, Egypt remains heavily reliant on financial assistance from Abu Dhabi.
Cairo is also reluctant to become involved in Saudi Arabia’s prolonged conflict with the Houthis in Yemen, according to Middle East Eye.
Writing for London-based think tank Chatham House, foreign affairs expert Ahmed Aboudouh said that despite Egypt maintaining close relations with all three Mecca Pact members, Cairo has so far avoided committing itself because its leadership prefers “non-alignment” and wants to stay away from military blocs that could create strategic entanglements.
Aboudouh argued that joining the Mecca Pact could be interpreted as Egypt taking sides against several geopolitical rivals of the three members, potentially including Iran and the Houthis, Israel, the UAE, Greece, Cyprus and India.
Such an alignment could damage Cairo’s relationships with these countries without necessarily providing Egypt with a substantial benefit, he wrote.
WILL INDIA TIES INFLUENCE EGYPT’S DECISION?
India adds another dimension to Egypt’s calculations.
Indrani Bagchi, CEO of Delhi-based think tank Ananta Centre, told the BBC that India was “one of the reasons” behind Egypt’s position, although she described it as the “last reason”.
She highlighted Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel and its close relationship with the UAE, arguing that Cairo had avoided joining an alliance whose member Pakistan does not recognise Israel and maintains an adversarial relationship with India.
Bagchi said joining the pact would probably not have a major effect on Egypt-India relations, but it would nevertheless send an unfavourable signal.
The economic relationship between the two countries makes this consideration significant. According to the BBC, more than 700 Indian companies are registered in Egypt, with around 70 active across various sectors and combined investments exceeding $5.5 billion. Bilateral trade reached $6.5 billion in 2025-26, while Indian companies employ around 40,000 Egyptians.
For Egypt, remaining outside the Mecca Pact for now may therefore be less about rejecting the alliance and more about maintaining strategic flexibility.
Joining the Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan defence grouping could complicate Cairo’s relationships with India, Israel and the UAE, all of which have important partnerships with Egypt. It could also force Cairo to take sides in competing regional alliances that it has so far sought to balance.
