New delhi: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called Saturday for maintaining the stability and freedom of international navigation amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. 'The current developments in the Middle East and their negative repercussions on the global economy, trade and energy flows, and supply chains affirm the close link between security and development,' Sisi said in his speech at a closed session of the BRICS summit in the Indian capital New Delhi. 'Given its strategic location and pivotal role in global trade, Egypt recognizes the importance of maintaining the stability and freedom of international navigation,' he added in his comments carried by a presidency statement.

According to Anadolu Agency, Sisi emphasized the necessity of building on the achievements within BRICS and harnessing the potential of member countries to establish projects and programs that support Sustainable Development Goals. He highlighted the need for diversifying sources of growth, enhancing productivity, and narrowing development and technological gaps. Additionally, Sisi expressed Egypt's ambition to assume the BRICS presidency 'in the near future.'

Sisi affirmed Cairo's commitment to continuing close cooperation with BRICS member states to foster partnerships that support development and mutual interests. This was Sisi's second public call in just 24 hours for stability along international shipping routes. During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit on Friday, Sisi underscored 'the importance of achieving stability amid the circumstances and crises facing the region, particularly regarding the waterways through which a massive volume of international trade passes via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal,' according to a presidency statement.

Sisi's appeal comes amid growing tensions around major maritime chokepoints. Navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains affected by the ongoing US-Iran conflict that began in February. Additionally, the Iran-aligned Houthi group's advances toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have raised concerns about potential disruptions in navigation through the Red Sea and Egypt's Suez Canal.