GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Bilateral Relations
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Egypt highlights the growing cooperation between the two countries and their efforts to strengthen their bilateral relationship
Various Aspects of India-Egypt Relations:
| Aspect | Status |
| History | · India and Egypt have a long history of contact dating back to the time of Emperor Ashoka.
· They shared relations during the rule of Ptolemy II. · In 2750 BCE, the Pharaoh Sahure sent ships to peninsular India. · Mahatma Gandhi and Egyptian revolutionary Saad Zaghloul had a common goal of independence from British colonial rule. · Diplomatic relations were established in 1947, and a friendship treaty was signed in 1955. · India condemned the attack on Egypt during the 1956 Suez Crisis and tried to mediate · Both countries were founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961. |
| Economic Relations | · Bilateral trade between the two countries in 2021-22 was over $7 billion, nearly a third of it was petroleum related.
· Egypt’s strategic location (12 per cent of global trade passes through the Suez Canal) and role as a major market make it important for India. · Egypt seeks Indian investments in infrastructure projects, and over 50 Indian companies have already invested in Egypt. |
| Geo-Strategic Concerns | · China’s bilateral trade with Egypt is currently higher than India’s
· Both countries face the threat of terrorism and extremism. · India and Egypt are both concerned about regional stability in the Middle East and North Africa. |
| Bilateral institutional mechanisms | India has a Joint Commission, Foreign Office Consultations and at least nine joint working groups. |
| Terrorism & Defense | Share a common vision on Terrorism. They have collaborated on fighter aircraft development and training. Both countries operate French Rafale fighter jets. Exercise Cyclone-I – first ever exercise between Indian Army and Egyptian Army was held in Jaisalmer recently |
| Cultural Relations | The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) was established in Cairo in 1992 to promote cultural cooperation between India and Egypt.
Recently, an MoU was signed to facilitate content exchange and co-productions between Prasar Bharati and the National Media Authority of Egypt. |
| Egypt’s Difficult Time | · Egypt has faced economic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on its food supply and foreign exchange reserves.
· India has provided assistance by allowing wheat shipments to Egypt. · Egypt’s foreign debt is over $163 billion (43% of the GDP) and its net foreign assets are minus $24 billion. |
India’s Interest in Egypt:
India is looking at increasing investments in the country, especially in major infrastructure projects in and around the Suez Canal, and special economic zones in Alexandria and Cairo. India is planning to supply LCA Tejas, missiles like Akash, DRDO’s Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon and radars.
India’s West Asia Policy:
India’s West Asia Policy refers to the strategic approach adopted by India towards countries in the West Asian region. It aims to strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties with these nations through various initiatives and collaborations.
India’s Interest in West Asia:
- India wants to draw huge amounts of capital from Gulf nations
- India wants to curtail religious extremism by supporting moderate countries in the region
- India supports social reforms and encourages fair, just and rule-based security politics in the area.
Insta Links:
Mains Links:
What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow to Britain’s self-image as a world power? (UPSC 2014)
Prelims Links: (UPSC 2022)
Which one of the lakes of West Africa has become dry and turned into a desert?
- Lake Victoria
- Lake Faguibine
- Lake Oguta
- Lake Volta
Ans: 2
