Egypt President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak would be visiting India from November 16 to 18, 2008. His visit emphasizes strengthening of the exceptionally close Indo-Egyptian relationship.

On July 1-3, 2008, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Pranab Mukherjee had visited Egypt. On July 2, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee was received by President Mubarak. During this visit, comprehensive discussions were held between the Indian and Egyptian delegations, led by EAM Mr. Pranab Mukherjee and Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit respectively. The ministers discussed ways and means of further enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries.

In 1995, President Hosni Mubarak was awarded the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding. The award coincided with India's golden anniversary of independence. An invitation had been long standing for President Mubarak to visit India.

The Indian-Egyptian relationship established firmly during the Nehru-Nasser era with the signing of the Friendship Treaty in 1955. However, history claims that the genesis of the ties goes back more than 2000 years ago.

"Relations between Egypt and India go back years before the outbreak of the 1952 July Revolution. The long struggle against British occupation has bound the two countries together in spirit. With the outbreak of the 1952 Revolution in Egypt, relations between the two countries strengthened even more. A friendship developed between Gamal Abdul-Nasser and Jawaharlal Nehru which eventually led to the Friendship Treaty between the two countries in 1955," H.E. Dr. Mohamed Higazy, Ambassador of Egypt to India informed.

Indo-Egypt relation is today established on the vibrant platforms of economic, political and cultural ties. Minister of Foreign Affairs Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr. Ahmed Aboul El Gheit said, "In recent history, similarities and synergies between the two countries have brought them even closer."

Indian investments in Egypt are valued at $500 millions, broken down into 32 industrial, consultancy and services projects. It is expected that Indian investment would reach two billions dollar soon as other projects are under execution as many Indian businesses have chosen Egypt as their hub for investments in many fields.

The balance of trade reached US$ 3.500 billions in 2007. Major imports to India from Egypt are raw cotton, raw and manufactured fertilizers, oil and oil products, organic and non-organic chemicals, leather and iron products. Efforts are being made at present to increase Egyptian exports to India to include rock phosphates, ammonia, cotton and grass seeds, aluminum and sedimentary rocks. Major exports from India to Egypt are cotton yarn, sesame, coffee, herbs, tobacco, lentils, pharmaceutical products and transport equipment.

The Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement between India and Egypt came into force in November 2000. In April 2007, the Vice Chairman of the General Authority for Investments and Free Zones of Egypt led a delegation to India. This year in April, a GAFI delegation that visited India on an investment promotion campaign also participated in FICCI's India-Arab Investment Conclave.

India has a cultural center with versatile activities in Egypt. The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture, which was set up in 1982, promotes bilateral cultural cooperation and is also responsible for implementation of the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP). It is the only Indian cultural centre in the Arab region. Egypt's Al Beheria Folk dance troupe participated in the 5th Sufi Dance Festival in Srinagar in July 2007 and also presented performances in New Delhi and Bhopal. This year, two Egyptian dance troupes visited India in February and June. Indian dance troupes visited Egypt in August and November 2007. An Indian dance troupe also toured Egypt this year in August. In October 2007, an Egyptian Cultural Week was held in New Delhi. Three scholars from India also visited Egypt during 2007 under the CEP.

A multitude of opportunities are still available for enriching the bilateral relation between the two countries. India can benefit from Egypt's accumulated experience and expertise in producing and maintaining world-class tourist infrastructure which are considerable. Similarly, India can share with Egypt her experiences in the filed of modernization of railways, aviation and public transport.

President Mubarak wishes to express his solidarity in exploring such opportunities with his visit to India.

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