Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for a two-day visit to Egypt on Saturday. Modi will reach Egypt's capital Cairo directly from his four-day US visit. This visit of Modi is being considered very important in terms of bilateral trade.
Egyptian President Abdel Fateh El Sisi was the chief guest at our 74th Republic Day celebrations this year. In other words, this will be the second meeting between the heads of the two countries in 6 months. Modi will also meet people of Indian origin here. Apart from this, the Prime Minister will also visit the 1000-year-old Shia Masjid Al-Hakim.
A landmark tour after 26 years
Egypt's geographical and strategic location is very important not only for India, but for the entire world in many ways. For the first time since 1997, an Indian Prime Minister is visiting Egypt.
Speaking to Saudi Arabia's newspaper 'The National', former diplomat Anil Trigunayat said - Modi's visit shows the close relations between India and Egypt. Almost every Egyptian president has visited India so far. Anil has been India's ambassador to Libya and Jordan.
Anil says- Egypt is giving a lot of importance to India. It is the most populous country in Africa. Egypt is also important for India. The good thing is that the people of both countries have had a very close relationship. Both the countries have been connected in one way or another since India's independence. Egypt is focusing on defense and technology trade with India.
Apart from Egypt, India has also invited Oman and UAE to participate in the G-20 meeting to be held in September. This shows how fast India is increasing its influence in the region.
This picture is from January 25 this year. Then the President of Egypt was the chief guest on Republic Day. Earlier, he met Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House.
This picture is from January 25 this year. Then the President of Egypt was the chief guest on Republic Day. Earlier, he met Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House.
Help when needed
On February 24 last year, Russia attacked Ukraine. The biggest crisis that arose from this was the global food crisis. Ukraine is the country that supplies the most food products to Egypt.
After the war started the situation started to worsen. A famine was looming in Egypt. The reason was that Ukrainian cargo ships could not leave the port to deliver supplies to other countries. India helped Egypt in this difficult time. Indian government very quickly sent 62 thousand tons of wheat to Egypt. Later, the Egyptian government sent a special diplomatic note to the Indian government to thank it.
Dual role and beneficial for us
Egypt is a country, also known as 'double hat' in the diplomatic world. Indeed, Egypt is among Arab as well as African countries. It means that if India increases its influence here, it can become strong in Africa along with Arabia.
Bilateral trade between the two countries was $7.26 billion in 2021-22. The special thing is that it is 60% more than last year. Now Modi and President Sisi want to take it to 12 billion dollars in five years.
Egypt wants to turn the Suez Canal into an economic zone. It is about 460 km long trade area. It includes 6 important ports in Africa, Arabia and Europe. China is spending $1 billion on the project. He wants to make it a part of the Belt and Road Initiative. India is well aware of this and wants to invest more here in due course.
The Egyptian government wants India to increase its military presence here as well. There are also reports of secret military deals between the two countries. In January, the two armies also conducted joint training in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
