India-Egypt 75th Anniversary of Ties
Source : Economic Times
GS II : International Relation

What is discussed under India-Egypt 75th Anniversary of Ties?

1. Relation in depth
2. Egypt In Map

Why in News ?

Egypt released a commemorative postage stamp to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between Egypt and India that were established with Egypt’s recognition of the independence of India on 18 August 1947, just three days after India’s independence.

Key Facts

• Egypt and India have long been bound together with historic ties in all fields.
• This was made possible through trade contacts between the two ancient civilizations that grew along the banks of the river Nile and the river Indus.
• The relation grew in 1950s and concluded a historic Friendship Treaty in 1955.
• Growing Egypt-India economic and commercial relations contribute to the stability and strength for a rapid growth of both sides. 

Relation in depth

• In the 1960s, defence cooperation between Egypt and India was at its height.
• The partnership has increased since then.
• The Indian Air Force trains Egyptian pilots, which is one of the positive aspects of defence relations between India and Egypt.
• India and Egypt manufactured the Helan-300 jet fighter jointly.
• The idea of Joint Defence Committee was framed during the Indian Air Chief visited Egypt. Later, in 2006, the Indo-Egypt Joint Defence Committee was established. Since then, the committee has met six times. 
• The military delegations from both sides visit the respective countries for exchange of professional know-how and also for joint training.
• India and Egypt also organize bilateral military exercise Exercise Desert Warrior. The exercise was conducted to enhance mutual understanding between the Indian Air Force and the Egyptian Air Force.

Friendship Treaty & bilateral relations

• The two nations became even closer in the 1950s and concluded a historic Friendship Treaty in 1955.
• During the last couple of years, the traditionally strong bilateral relations enjoyed by the two countries have received an impetus with regular exchange of high-level meetings and contacts between the two sides.

Trade & Commerce

• Egypt is one of the largest investment destinations for India in the region with the current Indian investment of USD 3.15 billion.
• Besides 50 Indian companies operating in Egypt, making a total investment of $3.15 billion and creating 38,000 jobs.
• The India-Egypt Bilateral Trade Agreement has been in operation since March 1978 and is based on the Most Favoured Nation clause.
  Major Egyptian exports to India include:
• Raw cotton, raw and manufactured fertilizers, oil and oil products, organic and non-organic chemicals, leather and iron products.
• Major imports into Egypt from India are:
  • Cotton yarn, sesame, coffee, herbs, tobacco and lentils.
  • Mineral fuel; vehicle parts; Ship, boat and floating structure; cuts of boneless bovine frozen meat; and Electrical machinery and parts are also exported from India.
  • There is a significant Indian presence in almost every field in Egypt.

Cultural Relations

• The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) was set up in Cairo in 1992.
• It aims to promote cultural cooperation between the two countries, through the implementation of the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP).
• The Centre, in addition to popularizing Indian culture through Hindi, Urdu and Yoga classes and the screening of movies, also organizes cultural festivals.
• ‘India by the Nile’ festival:
  • Cultural festival celebrated annually in Egypt.
  • It brings the essence of India through classical, contemporary, performing and visual arts, food and popular culture in a language that amalgamates diverse cultural and artistic strands.
  • The festival is produced by Delhi-based M/S Teamwork Arts and supported by ICCR and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture.

Egypt In Map

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