India - Egypt Relations
Embassy of India
Cairo
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India and Egypt, two of the world’s oldest civilizations, have enjoyed a history of close contact from ancient times. Ashoka’s edicts refer to his relations with Egypt under Ptolemy-II in 3rd century B.C. In modern times, Mahatma Gandhi and Saad Zaghloul shared common goals on the independence of their countries, a relationship that was to blossom into an exceptionally close friendship between President Nasser and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, leading to a Friendship Treaty between the two countries in 1955.
Political Relations
2. The joint announcement of establishment of diplomatic relations at Ambassadorial level was made on 18 August 1947. Both countries have cooperated closely in multilateral fora and were the founding members of Non-Aligned Movement in 1961.
3. Since 1980’s, there have been regular high-level bilateral visits between India and Egypt. President Hosni Mubarak visited India in 1982, in 1983 (NAM Summit) and again in 2008. High level exchanges with Egypt continued after the 2011 Egyptian Revolution and then President Mohamed Morsi visited India in March 2013. After the new government led by President Sisi took over in June 2014, President Sisi visited India for the third India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi in October 2015. President Sisi also paid a State visit to India in September 2016. President Sisi paid his 2nd State Visit to India in January 2023; he was invited as the Chief Guest of India’s 74th Republic Day celebrations. President Sisi visited India again in September 2023 to participate in G20 Leaders’ Summit.
4. There have been five Prime Ministerial visits from India to Egypt since 1980’s: Shri Rajiv Gandhi (1985); Shri P. V. Narasimha Rao (1995); Shri I. K. Gujral (1997); Dr. Manmohan Singh (2009, NAM Summit); and Shri Narendra Modi (2023). During the State Visit of PM Modi in June 2023, an agreement was signed upgrading bilateral relations to Strategic Partnership. During the visit, PM Modi was also conferred with the ‘Order of the Nile’ - the highest civilian award of Egypt.
5. In addition, Prime Minister Modi and President Sisi have also met on the sidelines of UNGA, New York in September 2015, and on the sidelines of 9th BRICS Summit at Xiamen in September 2017. Against the backdrop of Isreal-Hamas conflict in Gaza, PM Modi also held a telephonic conversation with President Sisi on 28th October 2023.
6. Institutional mechanisms: There are several mechanisms of bilateral institutional dialogue at different levels. The first Joint Working Group on Cyber Issues was held in New Delhi in December 2016. The 4th ‘Joint Committee Meeting on S&T’ was held in New Delhi in April 2017. The 2nd ‘ISRO-NARSS JWG’ was held in Cairo in November 2017. 7th round of Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was held in March 2018 in New Delhi, in which an Egyptian delegation was led by FM Shoukry. The 9th ‘Joint Defence Committee (JDC) was held in Cairo from 05-07 November, 2019. The India-Egypt Workshops on Agriculture-Biotechnology and Nanotechnology were held in Shillong in September 2018 and in Mumbai in January 2019, respectively. After Covid-19 pandemic induced hiatus, bilateral mechanisms resumed on 3rd March 2021 with JWG on Trade and Investment being held by videocon. The 5th Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology was held on 5th October 2021, in virtual mode, focusing on agriculture, nanotechnology, biotechnology and renewable energy. 1st JWG on Drugs & Pharmaceuticals and 1st JWG on Health & Medicine were convened on 14th March 2022 and 11th April 2022 respectively. The 5th ‘Joint Trade Commission’ (JTC) and ‘Joint Business Council’ (JBC) were held in Cairo on 25th and 26th July 2022 respectively, after a gap of several years. The 1st JWG on Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries was held virtually on 25th October 2022. India also hosted the 3rd India-Egypt ‘JWG on Counter Terrorism’ in New Delhi on 16th February 2023. India and Egypt held the twelfth round of Secretary-level Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Cairo on 3rd May 2023. Both sides discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and the need to deepen cooperation in all sectors including political, economic, defence and cultural sectors. They also deliberated on mechanisms to further enhance cooperation in multilateral fora.
7. Other Interactions: India also invited Egypt as a ‘Guest Country’ during our Presidency of G20 in 2023. Multiple Egyptian delegations at official as well as Ministerial level traveled to India during this period to attend various G20 tracks. President Sisi participated in the Leaders Summit in September 2023. Egypt’s FM also participated in Raisina Dialogue in March 2023. Recently, EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar had a telecon with Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty on 03 August 2024 and congratulated him for assuming the responsibility of Foreign Minister of Egypt.
Economic Relations
8. Egypt has traditionally been one of India’s most important trading partners in the African continent. The India-Egypt Bilateral Trade Agreement has been in operation since March 1978 and is based on the MFN clause and the bilateral trade has increased more than five times in last ten years.
9. Bilateral trade touched a new high of USD 7.26 billion in FY 2021-22, registering a 75% increase compared to FY 2020-21 (Source: DGCIS). According to the Egyptian Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), India was the 6th most important trading partner for Egypt in FY2021-22.
10. During FY 2022-23, according to MoC, the bilateral trade value was US$ 6.06 billion, with US$ 4.11 billion of exports from India and US$ 1.95 billion worth imports to India. While our exports have increased by nearly 10%, imports decreased by nearly 45%, which is largely attributed to the prevailing economic difficulties in Egypt. Although the decrease continued during the period April 2023-February 2024 too, with bilateral trade dropping to US$ 4.6 billion, this has been due to disruptive impact of Israel-Hamas conflict and the consequent Houthi threat to Suez Canal traffic.
11. Bilateral mechanisms such ‘Joint Trade Comittee’ (JTC), ‘Joint Business Council’ (JBC) and ‘Joint Working Groups’ are in place to facilitate trade and economic relations between India and Egypt. The Mission also assists in organizing various fora for commercial collaboration. Consequently hundreds of Indian companies have visited Egypt to participate in various trade fairs etc. Special efforts have been made to remove ‘Non-Tariff Barrier’ that led to the inclusion of India in the list of accredited countries which can supply wheat to Egypt
12. Around 55 Indian companies have invested in various sectors in Egypt with a combined investment exceeding US$ 3.75 billion, and providing direct and indirect employment to approximately 38,000 Egyptians. Several of the Indian companies also have additional investments in the pipeline worth US$ 700 million. Egypt has received Indian investments upwards of US$ 170 million in FY 2023-24. In December 2022, Indian IT Company, Tech Mahindra established its First Global Delivery Center in Egypt. In March 2023, Egypt also launched the 1st production line of “Hepatitis B and Pentavalent” vaccines, with a capacity of 100 million doses annually, in cooperation with ‘Serum Institute of India’ (SII). In April 2024, Micromax began the manufacturing of feature phones in Egypt with ToT agreement with KMG; the production will soon step-up to smart phones, smart watches etc. as well. Renewable energy companies ReNew, ACME and OCIOR have also signed MoUs worth US$ 8 billion, USD 6 billion and US$ 4 billion respectively with Egyptian Government for setting up of green hydrogen plants, and are in the process of negotiations.
13. Egyptian investments in India are to the tune of US$ 37 million which include ElSewedy Group (smart electrometers); KAPCI Coatings (car paints), Modern Waterproofing Group / Bitumode (waterproofing membranes and protection boards for construction industry) and 700 Apps (I.T Services).
14. The grants-in-aid and capacity development 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. An IT Centre in Al Azhar University, CEIT, is also operational since February 2019 and has trained over 1500 students. There are ongoing discussions between C-DAC and Dar al-Iftaa to establish an IT CoE in Dar al-Iftaa as well. Ramping up the cooperation in the field of higher education, Egyptian El-Sewedy group has signed an MoU with Amity University in June 2023; courses in machine learning, AI, robotics and quantum mechanics began in September 2023. 700 students have already enrolled in the course.
Defence Relations
15. Egypt and India enjoy cordial defence relations. After a brief hiatus due to Covid pandemic, numerous defense delegations (including aircraft and naval ship transits) have visited Egypt since June 2021. Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, visited Egypt November 2021 which was reciprocated by the visit of an Egyptian delegation led by Commander of Air Force (equivalent to our Chief) Air Marshal Abbas Helmy in July 2022.
16. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during his visit to Egypt, in September 2022, called on President Sisi and held bilateral discussions with Egyptian Minister of Defense Mohamed Zaki. An MoU on Defence Cooperation was also signed during the visit, which is a milestone in bilateral ties. In May 2023, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande also visited Egypt.
17. Most of the current defence cooperation is determined by Joint Defence Committee (JDC) activities. Starting in 2006, nine JDC meetings have been held alternately in either country, followed by exchange activities. The 9th meeting of JDC was held in Cairo in November 2019. 10th JDC was held in New Delhi from 29 July to 2 August 2024.
18. Bilateral Exercises: The first ever IAF-EAF Joint Tactical Air Exercise, ‘Desert Warrior’ , was held in Cairo in October 2021. For the first time, an Indian Air Force contingent (with 3 Su-30MKI and 2 C-17) also participated in ‘Tactical Leadership Programme’ (TLP) of Egyptian Air Force held in June-July 2022. On 8 May 2023, the Indian and Egyptian Air Forces conducted a joint exercise at an Egyptian airbase, aimed at strengthening military cooperation between the two countries. India also participated for the 1st time in multilateral Tri-service exercise ‘Bright Star-2023’, led by US CENTCOM and the Egyptian Army, held in August 2023. The 2nd edition of Special Forces exercise “Cyclone-II” was held in January 2024 in Egypt. A bilateral Air Force Exercise with 4 RAFALE aircraft of IAF also took place on 21-26 June 2024, in Egypt.
19. Ship & Aircraft Transits: Egypt continues to be a major transit hub for Indian aircrafts and naval vessels enroute/returning from overhauls as well as military exercises in European region and Atlantic. In past few years, a number of Indian Air Force air-crafts and Indian Navy ships have visited/transited through Egypt.
Cultural Relations
20. The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) has been promoting cultural cooperation between the two countries, through regular activities such as Hindi, Urdu and Yoga classes; seminars; film shows; exhibitions and participation in local cultural activities. In its outreach activities, MACIC also organizes India Day(s) in Egyptian Governorates and universities on a regular basis.
21. MACIC has been organizing “Glimpses of India” painting competition for Egyptian children for the last 27 years. An overwhelming response was received in the Silver Jubilee celebration of the competition, which was held in October 2019, with record participation of 16,000 schoolchildren. The 27th edition of the event was held in Nov-Dec 2023, with participation of over 11,600 Egyptian students. Participants drew paintings on themes related to India’s culture, civilization and India-Egypt relations.
22. After Covid-19 induced hiatus, In early December 2021, an 11-member cultural troupe, ‘Anveshana Society for Performing Arts’ visited Egypt in December 2021. This ICCR sponsored troupe performed at Ismailia, Port Said, at India-Bangladesh Maitri Diwas celebrations at Baron Palace in Cairo and at Sayed Darwish Theatre, Alexandria. In mid-August 2022, ICCR sponsored Kathak troupe also visited Egypt and performed in various locations in Egypt. In September 2022, a Qawwali troupe from India participated in the 15th edition of International Samaa' festival for Spiritual Music and Chanting. India was invited to participate in the festival as a Guest of Honor, alongside Canada. In February 2024, a ‘Chhau’ dance group also visited Egypt and performed at various locations across Egypt.
23. In the run up to 75th Indian Independence Day on 15th August 2021, MACIC organized various events as a part of AKAM celebrations. The Embassy also illuminated the iconic Cairo Tower (which is the tallest tower in North Africa) with Indian National Flag in the evening of 15th August 2021. This was the first time ever that Cairo Tower had been lit with Indian tricolor. The Embassy also organized various activities as part of AKAM celebrations, including ‘Bollywood Music and Dance Evening’, Cycle Rally, tree-plantation drive, Makar-Sankranti celebration etc. Mission’s Republic Day reception, hosted on 19th January 2023, was attended by Egypt’s Minister of Culture Dr. Nevine Youssef El-Kilani, Minister of Public Enterprises Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, as well as Minister of Civil Aviation Mohamed Abbas Helmy, in addition to over 300 dignitaries. Mission’s Republic Day reception, held on 26th January 2024, was graced by Egypt’s Minister of Communications & IT Dr. Amr Talaat as the Chief Guest.
24. Embassy of India, in cooperation with the Embassy of Bangladesh in Cairo, celebrated ‘India-Bangladesh Maitri Diwas’ in a spectacular manner at Baron Place (designed and built in early 20th century by Belgian architect, Alexandre Marcel, inspired mostly by the Hindu temples of South India) on 06 December 2021. Ms. Ghada Shalaby, Egypt's Vice Minister for Tourism was the Chief Guest of the event, which was attended by more 200 dignitaries from diplomatic community, think-tanks and academic circles, entertainment industry etc.
25. 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between India and Egypt was celebrated for an year commencing from 18th August 2022. The Government of Egypt released a postage stamp to commemorate the event. The Embassy also organized a Photo Exhibition on India-Egypt relations, followed by a reception for dignitaries on 30th August 2022.
26. On 27th February 2024, the Embassy celebrated 59th ITEC day. Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Ayman Ashour attended the event as the Chief Guest.
27. Yoga has gained immense popularity in Egypt. IDY was celebrated with much vigor in 2024; yoga events were held in Alexandria, Hurghada, Luxor, Minya etc. in run-up to the IDY celebrations held on 21st June 2024 in Al-Horreya Park in Cairo.
28. Mission organized a "Yoga at Iconic Place" contest, in which Egyptians participated enthusiastically. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi highlighted the growing popularity of Yoga in Egypt during the IDY 2024 celebrations in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, on 21 June 2024. He specifically referred to `Yoga At Iconic Places’ contest and appreciated young Egyptian men and women for sharing Yoga poses at famous tourist locations like Pyramids, Sphinx, etc. Hon’ble PM also referred to the growing popularity of Yoga in Egypt and commented that large number of Egyptians were doing Yoga along Red Sea and Nile River during his Mann Ki Baat, on 30 June 2024.
29. The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture organized 'Tagore - Mahfouz Caricature' Exhibition on 8 May 2024 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Indian Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, in collaboration with the ‘Fayoum Caricature Museum’ and ‘Egypt Cartoon Blog’. A total of 117 caricature entries featuring the world's two great Nobel Laureates were received from Cartoonists from across the globe.
30. MACIC has taken initiative to promote Kabaddi in Egypt since 2023. Recently, MACIC hosted an ‘India-Egypt Friendship Kabaddi Tournament’ in cooperation with ‘Egyptian Kabaddi Federation’ at Helwan University Club on 30 July 2024. A total of 12 teams (both men and women) participated in this tournament.
Indian Community
31. At present, the Indian community in Egypt numbers at over 6000, most of whom are concentrated in Cairo. There is presence of small Indian communities in Alexandria, Port Said and Ismailia. A majority of the Indians are either employed with Indian companies or are professionals with various multinationals. The Mission provides assistance to the Indian Community Association in Egypt (ICAE) and works closely with members of the community. About 1500 Indian students are studying in Egypt, in Al Azhar University, in addition to Ain Shams Medical University and Cairo University. A growing number of Indian students are coming to Egypt to study Medicine.
28 August 2024
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