Indian Council of World Affairs

A very warm welcome to the Indian Council of World Affairs! Today’s  panel discussion on India-Egypt Ties in Changing Global Order is taking place  just ahead of the visit of HE Mr. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, as Chief Guest at the celebrations of India’s Republic  Day on  26 January.

I thank Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Secretary Ministry of External  Affairs for agreeing to deliver the keynote address and for chairing today’s event. I would also like to extend special gratitude to HE Mr. Wael Mohamed Awad Hamed, Ambassador of Egypt to India for accepting our invitation and agreeing to deliver Special Remarks in today’s panel discussion.  I am equally thankful to other members of the Panel - Ambassador Navdeep Suri former Ambassador of India to Egypt, Mr. Atul Aneaja and Mr. P. S. Jayaraman for joining.  I also welcome the members of the diplomatic corps, academic and strategic community and other dignitaries among the audience.

President Al-Sisi will be the Chief Guest, at India’s Republic Day in the year when India and Egypt are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. Invitation as Chief Guest on Republic Day, a day so important in our nation’s calender, is an honour that India accords to its close & friendly partners

Both India and Egypt, apart from being two ancient and great civilizations, are strong voices for Global South. The forthcoming visit will be the third visit by President Al- Sisi to India since he became President. His maiden visit to India was in October 2015 when he had participated in the Third India Africa Forum Summit and later in September, 2016 he was warmly welcomed in India when on  a State visit. The current visit by President Al Sisi is very crucial not only from the bilateral perspective but also because the visit is taking place at a time when the world politics is in a state flux.

COVID pandemic has caused unprecedent disarray  and  the Russia-Ukraine conflict has had grave consequences for global food and energy security, especially for the developing countries.  As President of G-20 in 2022-2023, India has invited Egypt a Guest Country to G-20 meetings. All this is reflective of the widening horizon of India-Egypt relationship and a testimony to India’s growing focus on the larger Arab world in general and Egypt as our traditional political and strategic partner in particular.

In this fast-changing scenario in global politics, it becomes important for countries like India and Egypt to share perceptions, and to take stock of our present relationship so as to chart the future. Today’s panel will look at India-Egypt ties and its shared values and interests.

With these words, I again thank all for being here and looking forward to a fruitful discussion.

Thank you

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