Egypt and Indonesia Deepen Strategic Partnership and Back Palestinian Statehood

Egypt and Indonesia have agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, trade, investment and other strategic sectors, while rejecting the forced displacement of Palestinians and calling for de-escalation in the Gulf. 

The commitments were outlined in a joint statement following Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s official visit to Indonesia on 10 and 11 October 2026, at the invitation of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. 

The visit followed President Prabowo’s trips to Egypt in December 2024, April 2025 and October 2025.

President Prabowo received President el-Sisi at Merdeka Presidential Palace in Jakarta, where an official ceremony included the national anthems of both countries, a 21-gun salute and an inspection of the guard of honour. 

The presidents posed for a commemorative photograph, and President el-Sisi signed the guestbook before they held bilateral talks, followed by an expanded meeting with delegations from both countries.

Both leaders witnessed the signing of four memoranda of understanding covering maritime affairs and fisheries, statistical cooperation, a strategic partnership action plan, and visa waivers for holders of diplomatic, official and special passports. 

Defence and security cooperation was another priority. The leaders welcomed the steady development of ties in these areas and agreed to broaden collaboration in ways that strengthen both countries’ national capabilities. 

They also pledged to enhance trade and economic cooperation by expanding market access, encouraging business and investment engagement, improving the effectiveness of the Joint Trade Committee, and advancing joint manufacturing projects in priority sectors.

Building on the countries’ longstanding historical and cultural ties, the leaders also agreed to deepen people-to-people links through education, culture, language and youth programmes. 

They supported academic and institutional partnerships, student and school exchanges, and a framework for mutually agreed capacity-building and technical-cooperation programmes. President Prabowo welcomed Al-Azhar University’s November 2025 decision to include Indonesian in programmes at its Faculty of Languages and Translation, and encouraged stronger cooperation in Arabic-language education in Indonesia.

On Palestine, the leaders expressed grave concern over continuing violence and Israeli military operations in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. 

They condemned Israeli settlement policies and activities as illegal and called for their immediate and complete cessation, in line with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

Water security was also discussed. The presidents acknowledged the growing effects of climate change and water scarcity on food and water security, sustainable development and regional stability. Indonesia recognised the vital importance of Nile water security to Egypt. 

President Prabowo expressed regret over violations of international law or attempts to infringe on nations’ water rights, and voiced support for Egypt’s efforts to safeguard those rights.