On the auspicious occasion of the 75th Republic Day of India, Ambassador Ajit Gupte extended a warm welcome to esteemed guests, including H.E. Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications & Information Technology, H.E. Dr. Ali El Moseilhy, Minister of Supply & Internal Trade, and distinguished members of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and the Egypt - India Friendship Association, among others.
Ambassador Gupte expressed immense pleasure in celebrating this milestone of India's journey as a Republic, emphasizing the foundational values and principles of India. He highlighted the ancient and modern ties between India and Egypt, marked by shared civilizational values and a history of cooperation on bilateral, regional, and global issues.
The Ambassador noted the consistent nurturing of friendship between the two nations by their political leadership, despite the brief hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. He recounted the recent ministerial visits that have significantly contributed to the momentum in India-Egypt bilateral relations.
Ambassador Gupte shared the highlights of India-Egypt relations over the past year, including the state visits by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Egypt, which have deepened bilateral cooperation and celebrated with the bestowal of Egypt’s highest civilian honour on PM Modi.
In the realm of commerce and trade, Ambassador Gupte pointed out Egypt's importance as one of India's key trading partners in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching an all-time high. He also mentioned the significant investment by Indian companies in Egypt and the technical cooperation and assistance that has been a major part of the bilateral relationship.
The Ambassador proudly spoke of the expanded defence cooperation, the contributions of the Indian diaspora to the Egyptian economy, and the cultural cooperation promoted by the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture in Egypt.
Highlighting India's achievements in 2023, Ambassador Gupte spoke of India's technological advancements, including the successful Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander mission, the rapid 5G rollout, leadership in digital payments, and the burgeoning start-up ecosystem.
Ambassador Gupte emphasized India's journey to becoming a global manufacturing hub, supported by strategic investments and initiatives like 'Make in India' and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
Concluding his speech, Ambassador Gupte reflected on India's evolution from a British colony to a sovereign, democratic, and secular nation, and its role as a powerful voice for the 'Global South'. He invited Egyptian friends to join in India's journey towards progress and prosperity, for the mutual benefit of both nations.
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