Modi makes diplomatic stop in Egypt
CAIRO — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off a two-day visit to Egypt Saturday.
Modi’s flight landed at Cairo’s international airport Saturday afternoon. It’s the first state visit to Egypt by an Indian prime minister since 1997.
Modi was received by Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, and the two inspected an honor guard and listened to their respective national anthems. Modi took to Twitter to thank Madbouly for “the special gesture of welcoming me at the airport,” and added, “May India-Egypt ties flourish and benefit the people of our nations.”
Modi and Madbouly then held talks on strengthening Egyptian-Indo ties, according to Egypt’s state-run MENA news agency. The talks were attended by senior government officials from both countries, MENA reported.
Modi also discussed “countering extremism and radicalization” with Grand Mufti Shawki Allam, Egypt’s Islamic jurist, said Arindam Bagchi, a spokesman for India’s External Affairs Ministry.
Modi is scheduled to hold talks today with President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. The two countries would also sign a set of memorandums aimed at solidifying their ties.
Also today, Modi will visit a historic mosque, Al-Hakim, in Islamic Cairo, which was recently renovated with the help of the India-based Dawoodi Bohra community. He is also scheduled to visit the Heliopolis War Cemetery to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who fought in World War I.
Modi’s visit comes six months after el-Sissi attended India’s Republic Day parade as an official guest.