India sees Egypt as a bridge between Asia and Africa, says President

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee yesterday (September 2, 2016) received His Excellency Mr. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also hosted a banquet in his honour.

Welcoming the President of Egypt, the President said India and Egypt enjoy historic and civilizational ties. The two countries have together contributed and continue to facilitate peace and development in the region and beyond. He expressed confidence that Mr. Sisi’s visit and such exchanges will strengthen India-Egypt partnership and take it to a higher level.

The President said India sees Egypt as a major power in the West Asia and North Africa region, a bridge between Asia and Africa and a prominent player in Africa and the Arab world. India is happy to see Egypt progress towards political stability and economic development under the leadership of Mr. Sisi.

Subsequently, in his banquet speech, President Pranab Mukherjee said the high esteem in which the Founding Fathers held each other- Tagore and Shawky, Gandhi and Zaghloul, Nehru and Nasser has inspired India-Egypt partnership and shaped the way the two countries have collaborated bilaterally and in multilateral fora as two independent nations.

The President said today’s Egypt is developing fast. India is also on a very positive trajectory of progress and growth. There is a definite confidence in our youth, who are now, more than ever before, flag-bearers of our national spirit and our collective goals. At the same time, as we are only too aware, the challenges that we face have also become more complex. Our respective regions are plagued by the shadowy spectre of radicalism that must be dealt with strongly and unitedly.

The President said the visit of President Sisi is taking place at a time when both India and Egypt desire to infuse a new momentum into their relations and intensify co-operation. Economic engagement between the two countries has been growing stronger through investments and enhanced trade flows as well as partnership in a wide range of areas of common interest. India and Egypt share a convergence on regional and global issues. New modes of co-operation and collaboration are emerging and new actors are rapidly entering the stage. While we take satisfaction in the state of our relations, we must continue to strive to achieve higher milestones.