First Bilateral Visit By Indian PM To Egypt In 26 Years: ‘Feel Proud That Our PM Came All The Way To Meet Us’

First Bilateral Visit By Indian Prime Minister To Egypt In 26 Years

Modi’s Egypt visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first state visit to Egypt began on Saturday, during which time he met with Bohras and members of the Indian diaspora. Prior to his Sunday visit to Cairo’s ancient Al-Hakim Mosque, which was repaired with the aid of India’s Dawoodi Bohra community, the prime minister met with members of the Bohra community. The mosque was refurbished starting in the 1970s by the Bohra community in India, which is descended from the Fatima dynasty.

Speaking to the media, a member of the Indian diaspora, said, “I have been living in Egypt for the last 27 years and belong to the Bohra community. Meeting PM Modi today came as a unique experience. The PM is closely associated with our community. I feel proud that our PM came all the way here to meet us.”

The Prime Minister also talked with people from the Indian diaspora and met Dr Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, Egypt’s Grand Mufti.

PM Moodi also meets the Indian diaspora

Earlier, the Indian diaspora, dressed up in traditional attire, gathered in large numbers at the Ritz Carlton Hotel here to welcome Modi. Waving the Indian tricolour, members of the Indian community welcomed the Prime Minister to chants of ‘Modi, Modi’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ when he reached the hotel.

“I have been living here for the last 26 years. This is a day for celebration for us as PM Modi, who is loved by so many, is in Cairo today. It was an honour for us to meet him, we are very happy. India runs in our veins and meeting so many fellow countrymen here made me that we are one. We wish PM Modi a very comfortable and pleasant stay here,” another member of the Indian diaspora said.

Egyptian woman sings ‘Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Todenge’

The well-known song “Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Chhodenge” from the film “Sholay” was played to welcome Modi by Jena, an Egyptian woman wearing a sari. The Prime Minister was surprised when Jena revealed she understood very little Hindi and had never been to India after being impressed by the performance of the Kishore Kumar-Manna Dey song.

“Kisi ko pata bhi nahi chalega ki aap Misr ki beti ho ya Hindustan ki beti ho (Nobody will be able to tell whether you are a daughter of Egypt or a daughter of India),” Prime Minister Modi said.

To show his admiration for the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the ultimate act of valour for Egypt during World War One, he will go to the Heliopolis War Cemetery. Although it is dedicated to the 3,799 Indian soldiers who died in various First World War battles in Egypt, this memorial was constructed by the Commonwealth.

PM Modi’s first state visit to Egypt

It is worth mentioning Modi is visiting Egypt at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. This is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Egypt in 26 years.

The Egyptian Prime Minister had earlier received Modi with a warm embrace, a ceremonial welcome, and a Guard of Honor at this airport as part of a unique gesture “I am confident this visit will strengthen India’s ties with Egypt. I look forward to talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and attending other programmes,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted after landing in Cairo.