About India – Egypt Bilateral Relation
26-08-2023
01:18 PM
1 min read
What’s in today’s article?
- Why in news?
- India – Egypt Bilateral Relation
- Trade relation between India and Egypt
- Defence cooperation between India and Egypt
- Cooperation between India and Egypt during Covid-19 & Russia – Ukraine war
- Development cooperation between India and Egypt
- Cultural relation between India and Egypt
- News Summary: PM Modi Arrives in Egypt For Two-Day State Visit
- Key highlights of the visit
Why in news?
- PM Modi began his maiden state visit to Egypt by holding discussions with the "India Unit” in the Egyptian Cabinet.
- This India Unit was set up earlier this year following the State Visit of President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to India as Chief Guest for Republic Day 2023.
- The India Unit is headed by the Prime Minister of Egypt H.E. Mr. Mustafa Madbouly, and comprises a number of Ministers and senior officials.
- This is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 26 years.
India – Egypt Bilateral Relation: in brief
- India and Egypt enjoy warm and friendly relations marked by civilizational, cultural and economic linkages and deep-rooted people-to-people ties.
- In 2023, India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
- President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, was the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day on 26 January 2023.
- This was for the first time that President of the Arab Republic of Egypt has been invited as Chief Guest on our Republic Day.
- During this visit, both sides decided to elevate the relationship to Strategic Partnership covering political, security, defence, energy and economic areas.
- Egypt has also been invited as a ‘Guest Country’ during India’s Presidency of G-20 in 2022-23.
Trade relation between India and Egypt
- Bilateral trade between India and Egypt achieved a record high of USD 7.26 billion in FY 2021-22.
- The trade was fairly balanced, with USD 3.74 billion Indian exports to Egypt and USD 3.52 billion imports from Egypt to India.
- During this period (FY21-22), India was the 6th largest export destination and 6th most significant source of imports as well.
- During April 2022-January 2023 period of FY 2022-23, the bilateral trade has reached nearly USD 4.4 billion, with USD 2.9 billion worth exports from India and USD 1.5 billion worth imports from Egypt to India.
- More than 50 Indian companies have invested around USD 3.15 billion in diverse sectors of Egyptian economy, including chemicals, energy, textile, garment, agri-business, retail, etc.
Defence cooperation between India and Egypt
- Desert Warrior exercise was conducted as the first-ever joint tactical exercise by the air force of the two countries.
- The more recent exercise between the special forces is another indication of the growing willingness to work together.
- The Egyptians have also shown some interest in India’s Tejas fighter jets and Dhruv light attack helicopters.
- A military contingent from the Egyptian Army participated in this year’s Republic Day parade.
Cooperation between India and Egypt during Covid-19 & Russia – Ukraine war
- When India was hit hard by the second wave of COVID-19, Egypt responded by dispatching three plane loads of medical supplies and providing 300,000 doses of Remdesivir in May 2021.
- India reciprocated a year later when Egypt, the world’s largest importer of wheat, was facing a dire situation following the abrupt halt in wheat shipments from Ukraine following the war.
- In May last year, India — which had put a ban on sale of wheat — allowed export of 61,000 tonnes to Egypt.
Development cooperation between India and Egypt
- The grants-in-aid projects include:
- Pan Africa Tele-medicine and Tele-education project in Alexandria University, Solar electrification project in Agaween village and Vocational Training Centre for textile technology in Shoubra, Cairo, which have been completed.
- Technical cooperation and assistance
- Since 2000, over 1300 Egyptian officials have benefited from ITEC and other programs like ICCR and IAFS scholarships.
Cultural relation between India and Egypt
- The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) has been promoting cultural cooperation between the two countries.
- The iconic Cairo Tower (which is the tallest tower in North Africa) was illuminated with Indian National Flag in the evening of 15th August 2021.
News Summary
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Egypt's capital Cairo for the first state visit on the second leg of his two-nation tour.
Key highlights of the visit
- The Prime Minister began his visit with discussions with Egyptian Prime Minister Madbouly and top Cabinet ministers to deepen trade relations and further strengthen the strategic partnership.
- He also met the members of the Indian diaspora and the Bohra community.
- His meeting with the Bohra community members comes ahead of his visit to Cairo’s historic Al-Hakim Mosque, restored with the help of India’s Dawoodi Bohra community.
- The Bohra community in India originated from the Fatima dynasty and they have renovated the mosque from the 1970s onwards.
- He will visit the Heliopolis War Cemetery to pay respects to the Indian troops who gave their lives in the ultimate act of valour for Egypt during World War-1.
- This memorial was built by the Commonwealth.
- It is dedicated to the 3,799 Indian troops who lost their lives in different First World War conflicts in Egypt.
Q1) What is Heliopolis War Cemetery?
The Heliopolis War Cemetery is a cemetery located in Cairo, Egypt. It is a burial ground for soldiers who died during World War I and World War II. The cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), an organization responsible for commemorating the Commonwealth servicemen and women who died in the two world wars.
Q2) Where is Al-Hakim Mosque?
Al-Hakim Mosque, also known as the Mosque of Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, is located in Cairo, Egypt. The mosque was built during the 11th century (990-1013 AD) and is named after the Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, who commissioned its construction. It is considered one of the most important Islamic architectural landmarks in Cairo.
Source: In Egypt, PM discusses trade relations, to meet President El-Sisi today | MEA | Embassy of India, Cairo | ORF