New Delhi, India: On the event of India’s 74th Republic Day, an Egyptian Army contingent consisting of 144 soldiers marched towards saluting dais on Kartavya Path for the very first time under the leadership of Colonel Mahmoud Mohammed Abdel Fatteh. The event was held in the presence of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
The President of Egypt attended the Republic Day Parade as the Chief Guest. This was the first time for an Egyptian leader to be invited to India’s Republic Day. The Egyptian forces thanked India for such an honour. Notably, the Army of Egypt is one of the oldest regular armies known to humanity.
Colonel Mahmoud Mohammed Abdel Fattah El Kharasawye expressed his pleasure in being invited at such a prestigious event of the Indian Republic Day. As per him, this invitation symbolizes the long-term of friendly relations between the countries.
Currently, the President of Egypt is on a four-day working visit to India, during which he attended the Republic Day Parade. Following that, the President will be officially received by the Indian President, Droupadi Murmu, for an ‘At-Home’ reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Additionally, a meeting with the Indian Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankar, is also scheduled in this visit.
The defence ties between India and Egypt have been on a great note. A close cooperation has prevailed between the countries, including efforts at jointly developing fighter aircraft in the 1960’s. Moreover, the IAF pilots provided training to Egyptian Pilots from 1960-1984.
India and Egypt have been diplomatic partners for 75 years now. India has also invited Egypt as a guest in its G20 Presidency tenure, and this visit is sure to strengthen the ties between the nations. The countries also share cordial relations in terms of civilizational, cultural and economic linkages and people-to-people ties, as the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated.
It must be noted that the first-ever joint exercise is being carried out by the Indian and the Egyptian Army, known as Cyclone 2023 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, which works on enhancing skills such as Sniping, Combat Free Fall, Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Designation, sharing of information on weapons, equipment, innovations, tactics, techniques and procedures.
