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"Prime Minister Modi's Visit to Egypt: A Potential Game Changer for Bilateral Relations"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Egypt has garnered praise from analysts, who view it as a potentially transformative development for bilateral relations, according to Al Jazeera. The visit is expected to facilitate a substantial increase in India's investments in Egypt and potentially provide Egypt with a pathway to join the BRICS economic bloc. 

This marks Prime Minister Modi's first visit to Egypt since assuming office and the first visit by an Indian prime minister since 1997. The trip follows Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's visit to New Delhi as the chief guest for India's 74th Republic Day celebrations in January. El-Sisi was the first Egyptian president to receive this honor. 

The visit by Prime Minister Modi is seen as reinforcing the strategic-level relationship established during el-Sisi's earlier visit and could offer insights into future bilateral cooperation, as per Al Jazeera.


Arindam Bagchi, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), stated that the visit represents a rapid and reciprocal exchange following President Sisi's visit to India six months ago. It is anticipated that the visit will not only sustain the momentum of the bilateral relationship but also expand it into new areas of trade and economic engagement. 

From Egypt's perspective, the visit is aimed at diversifying partnerships beyond the Western bloc, while India aims to consolidate its position as a representative of the Global South as it prepares to host the G20 meeting in September in New Delhi. 

In addition to bilateral discussions and the signing of trade agreements, Prime Minister Modi is expected to interact with the Indian community in Egypt and meet prominent leaders.


India and Egypt share a long history of close ties, as both countries were founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961, a global forum comprising 120 developing countries advocating non-alignment with major power blocs. 

President El-Sisi has visited India three times, and while Egypt seeks increased Indian investments, New Delhi is seeking enhanced access to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region through Cairo. 

Aftab Kamal Pasha, an expert on Middle Eastern Studies, suggested that Egypt's historically friendly relations with India prompted Prime Minister Modi to turn to Egypt, given the limitations in obtaining support from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Pasha also noted that President El-Sisi desires Egypt's inclusion in BRICS, a powerful economic grouping comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and potentially other countries. 

Prime Minister Modi aims to balance China's influence within the organization and prevent Pakistan, supported by Beijing, from joining. It is expected that Prime Minister Modi will announce India's support for Egypt's aspiration to join BRICS during the visit.


Analysts emphasize the significance of fostering close ties with Cairo for India. As the most populous country in MENA, Egypt holds crucial geostrategic importance, with 12 percent of global trade passing through the Suez Canal.

Experts suggest that Cairo could serve as a gateway for India to major markets in Europe and Africa. India also harbors concerns about China's growing influence in Egypt, with China's bilateral trade reaching USD 15 billion compared to India's USD 7.26 billion in 2021-22. 

The latest bilateral trade figures stood at USD 5.18 billion from April 2022 to January 2023. Fazzur Rahman Siddiqui, a senior research fellow at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), highlighted India's aim to establish itself as a significant power in the Global South. Since Modi assumed office, India has expanded its foreign policy outreach, opening nearly 20 new diplomatic missions across the African continent. 

Siddiqui noted that Egypt has seen a decline in its influence in regional affairs, leading the country to explore partnerships beyond the continent, where India holds potential due to its growing stature. 

Aligning with Egypt could offer India deeper access to the Arab world, Africa, and even Israel. India, as the current G20 president since December 2022, has invited Egypt to participate as a "guest country" in the upcoming G20 summit.

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