Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Egypt following an invitation from the Arab nation’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Ajit Gupte, India’s Ambassador to Egypt, on Saturday, described PM Narendra Modi‘s visit to the key Middle East country as “historic” that will usher in a new era in the bilateral ties between the two nations.
After concluding a highly successful state visit to the United States, Modi will reach Cairo on Saturday evening where he is scheduled to hold discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Sunday.
Modi’s visit to Egypt is significant given that it is the first by an Indian leader since 1997.
Earlier this year, New Delhi elevated ties with Egypt to the level of a “Strategic Partnership“.
In this context, Gupte noted that the relations between the two countries will get further impetus with Modi’s visit.
“We are very much looking forward to the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Cairo from 24th to 25th of June. The visit is a very historic occasion because the last bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister was as far back as 1997,” Gupte told reporters.
Earlier this week, Modi hailed India’s growing ties with Egypt.
“We had the pleasure of receiving President Sisi as the Chief Guest at our Republic Day celebrations this year,” he stated.
“I look forward to my discussions with President Sisi and senior members of the Egyptian Government to impart further momentum to our civilizational and multi-faceted partnership,” he added.
In recent years, Cairo and New Delhi have developed a close defense partnership as well with the two nations regularly holding joint military exercises.
Besides, India is in discussions with Egypt for a possible sale of its locally manufactured Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.
“From Egypt, we were very happy to have received an Egyptian military Convention, which led the Republic Day Parade this year… We also had for the first time ever, joint exercises between our Special Forces in the desert in Rajasthan,” Gupte concluded.