Egypt’s president to be chief guest
Republic Day visit to India will be Al Sissi’s third since taking office
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi has been invited by India as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in January to celebrate the ‘momentous occasion’ of completing 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, Ausaf Sayeed, secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs said yesterday.
Sayeed said the two nations established formal relations three days after India attained independence on August 15 in 1947. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Al Sissi as chief guest for the Republic
Day and the invitation was warmly received.
“This is indeed a momentous occasion in our bilateral relations with Egypt when our two countries are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. I was told that when we became independent on the 15th of August, 1947 it was three days later on the 18th of August that the relations, formal relations were established which goes on to say the importance which we attach to our relationship with Egypt,” Ausaf Sayeed, secretary (Consular, Passport & Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) MEA said yesterday.
Strengthened ties
He further stated: “We have invited Egypt as the guest country during our G20 Presidency this year. It is a matter of satisfaction and the civilisation that links between India and Egypt have not only stood the test of time but have also further strengthened by mutual warmth, friendship, and goodwill.”
Sayeed added that the ties between the two nations received further momentum with Al Sissi’s visits to India and meetings between the two leaders at various forums, including the United Nations.