Modi in Egypt
By Dr D.K. Giri
(Secretary General, Assn for
Democratic Socialism)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Egypt was somewhat overshadowed by the ‘landmark’ official visit to the United States. In fact, his visit to Cairo was no less important as it paved the way for both India and Egypt to consolidate their footprints in their respective regions of influence. Modi himself tweeted, “My visit to Egypt was a historic one. It will add renewed vigour to India-Egypt relations and benefit the peoples of our nations”. By accounts of many observers of India-Africa relations, Prime Minister’s characterisation of the visit turns out to be true.
Relations between India and Egypt were growing since New Delhi invited the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as the Guest of Honour on 74th Republic Day; an honour accorded for the first time to an Egyptian Head of State. New Delhi also is engaging Egypt around the G-20 presidency to participate as a ‘guest country’. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi would be visiting New Delhi to attend the G-20 Summit in September.
Historically, India-Egypt relations go back to late 1950s as both countries were the co-founders along with Yugoslavia of Non-Alignment Movement. It is another matter that NAM is no more active and vibrant as it was in its initial days. India is trying to re-calibrate NAM as ‘multiple engagement’. Whether this too is a viable strategy is a debate we will continue to have in this column and elsewhere.
The highlights of Modi’s visit to Egypt certainly mark a significant step ahead in India-Egypt bilateral relations. Modi’s visit was his first to Egypt after over two decades by an Indian Prime Minister. Second, this visit consolidates the strategic partnership that evolved during the visit of President El-Sisi last January. This renewed partnership has immense regional and global implications for both the countries. It offers Egypt a new option as its voice in regional affairs like Palestine, Ethiopia and other African countries declines over the years.
As it looks for new partners beyond the continent, India for their historical ties, promises great potential owing to her growing stature in world politics. In an interview to a leading daily in New Delhi, the Egyptian Ambassador to India called the visits of his President and Indian Prime Minister as ‘game changers’. He qualified the epithet, “We can reinforce each others’ position on the international front…. we are offering India a very promising opportunity of taking Egypt as a springboard to three regions – Europe, the Middle-East, and the whole of Africa.”
Indeed, New Delhi could use Egypt as a launching pad certainly for MENA – Middle East and North Africa. Note that Egypt is the most populous country in MENA. The proposed economic free zone for India in the Suez Canal which lends a crucial geo-strategic significance to Egypt could be an invaluable route for Indian commerce. Twelve per cent of global trade passes through the Suez Canal. It has been in international attention since the Anglo-French invasion in 1956 which was known as Suez crisis. The crisis occurred as Egyptian President Abdel Nasser nationalised the Canal and became a turning point in the foreign policies of Britain, Egypt and India.
Under international pressure, particularly from the US, Britain had to withdraw its forces; its Prime Minister Anthony Eden had to resign; a year later, Egypt was granted the ownership and sovereignty of the Suez Canal. India faced the dilemma, as at the same time, Soviet Union had invaded Hungary. To recall a lesser known fact, while Indian Prime Minister Pandit Nehru was critical of Anglo-French attack on Suez Canal, he kept mum on the Soviet invasion of Hungary. This silence exposed the Non-Aligned status of India. That is history. But we must learn the lesson that, non-alignment, its current euphemism ‘strategic autonomy’, is perhaps not a viable option in an inter-dependent world.
To capture the significant events of Modi’s visit to Cairo, the agreement to elevate the bilateralism to a strategic partnership was signed. This will facilitate Egypt’s attempt for a self-reliant defence industry as it leans on India’s defence capability offering an alternative to usual dependence on western and China/Russia. Egypt’s interest in acquiring the Tejas LCA Mk-IA aircraft from India opens space for collaboration in aviation sector. Over all, with its network of defence alliance with African countries, Cairo could offer a pivotal gateway to India to expand her defence capability and markets.
Both the leaders discussed ways and means to deepen the partnership, covering areas in trade, investment, defence, security, renewable energy, cultural and people-to-people ties. In addition to the strategic partnership agreement, three MoUs were signed in the fields of agriculture, archaeology, and antiquities.
The second important highlight is the Egypt’s highest civilian award ‘the Order of Nile’ conferred on Prime Minister Modi. Instituted in 1959, the Order of Nile is awarded to Heads of States, Crown Princess, and Vice Presidents who offer Egypt or humanity invaluable services. The Order of Nile is a pure gold collar comprising three-square gold units, each having powerful symbolic meanings. The first unit signifies the idea of protecting the state against evils, the second one resembles prosperity and happiness brought by the river Nile and the third one refers to wealth and endurance. Although Prime Minister Modi has received twelve other highest State honours, this one manifests the importance accorded by Egypt to India.
Cairo has also created an India Unit, a group of high-level ministers constituted by El-CC in March to enhance India-Egypt relations. Modi’s first official engagement in Cairo was the meeting with this India Unit. Members of this Unit led by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, were present during the discussion on the strategic partnership and deepening relations in other sectors. Institution of a specific India Unit indicates the priority Cairo attaches to India-Egypt ties.
Another highlight is Modi’s visit to Heliopolis War Cemetery to pay respects to Indian soldiers who laid their lives during WW-I. Modi visited the Heliopolis Commonwealth War Cemetery and offered tributes to Indian soldiers who bravely fought and sacrificed their lives in Egypt and Palestine during the First World War. The Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial commemorates nearly 4,000 Indian soldiers who died in the war.
Modi also visited the 11th century Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo which has a historic connection with Dawoodi Bohra Muslims who are a sizeable community in India. Modi met the yoga practitioners, the author Tarek Heggy and the top businessmen Hassan Allam, CEO of Hassan Allam Holding Company and visited, escorted by Egyptian prime Minister, the pyramid of Giza in outskirts of Cairo. This pyramid was included in Seven Wonders of the World.
The visit is hailed by both sides as a grand success. There were talks of direct flights between Cairo and New Delhi. With the launch of such direct connection, along with the possibility of having an industrial zone for India in Egypt, among other things, will really solidify the relations and take them to new horizons, said the Egyptian Ambassador to India. We have no room for divergence with such an optimistic and realistic affirmation. — INFA