After an eventful three-day state visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra embarked on a two-day state visit to Egypt. During his visit on Saturday, June 24, PM Modi met with Dr. Shawky Ibrahim Allam, the Grand Mufti of Egypt. The Grand Mufti commended PM Modi for his inclusive and pluralistic leadership.
Honoured to have met the Grand Mufti of Egypt, His Eminence Prof. Shawky Ibrahim Allam. Had enriching discussions on India-Egypt ties, notably cultural and people-to-people linkages. pic.twitter.com/GMx4FCx2E0
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 24, 2023
The discussions between them primarily revolved around countering radicalization and extremism, as well as promoting social and religious harmony in society. Prime Minister Modi announced that India would establish a Center of Excellence in IT at the Dar-al-Ifta under the Ministry of Social Justice of Egypt. As a token of appreciation, the Grand Mufti presented PM Modi with a special gift.
Cooperation Between India And Egypt
The Grand Mufti mentioned a previous meeting with PM Modi in Delhi during a Sufi conference, noting the remarkable development he observed in India since then. He praised Prime Minister Modi’s efforts to foster coexistence among different factions in India and highlighted the strong religious cooperation between Egypt and India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for his people-centric approach, took the opportunity to interact with the Indian diaspora in Cairo. He commended their valuable contributions to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. The event brought together over 300 members of the Indian diaspora, including students, professionals, and businesspersons.
Response Of The Indian Diaspora
PM Modi expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in Egypt, stating on Twitter, “Deeply touched by the warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in Egypt. Their support and affection epitomize the timeless bonds between our nations. It was also remarkable to see Egyptians wearing Indian attire, truly celebrating our shared cultural connections.”
Deeply moved by the warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in Egypt. Their support and affection truly embody the timeless bonds of our nations. Also noteworthy was people from Egypt wearing Indian dresses. Truly, a celebration of our shared cultural linkages. pic.twitter.com/rTqQcz3tz7
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 24, 2023
Meet And Greet
During his visit, PM Modi also met with Tarek Heggy, a renowned Egyptian author and petroleum strategist. Their discussions covered various topics, including radicalism, gender equality, energy security, and global geopolitics. PM Modi acknowledged Heggy’s extensive knowledge of different cultures.
Furthermore, PM Modi engaged in a fruitful conversation with Hassan Allam, the CEO of Hassan Allam Holding Company, one of the major Egyptian companies operating in the Middle East and North Africa.
They explored opportunities for closer collaboration between Indian and Egyptian companies in areas such as green hydrogen, renewable energy, infrastructure, and construction sectors.
Expanding Trade Relations
On the diplomatic front, PM Modi held talks with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and the “India Unit,” consisting of prominent Cabinet ministers, to kickstart his official visit. The discussions primarily focused on expanding trade relations and strengthening the strategic alliance between the two nations. Prime Minister Madbouly and his Cabinet colleagues highlighted the India Unit’s activities and proposed new areas of cooperation.
PM Modi welcomed the establishment of the India Unit and the comprehensive approach of the Egyptian government in advancing bilateral ties with India. He expressed India’s willingness to closely collaborate with Egypt across various areas of mutual interest.
Importance Of The Visit
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Egypt was extended as an invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. President Sisi had previously served as the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2023. He reciprocated the invitation to the Indian Prime Minister. This visit is significant as it marks the first bilateral visit to Egypt by an Indian Prime Minister since 1997.
Notably, PM Modi’s visit coincided with Egypt’s formal application for membership in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) group. Egypt aims to reduce its dependence on the US dollar. It aims to align with the BRICS objective of promoting alternative currencies in international trade, including its own currency.
