Press release No. 2

6 January 2008

Visit of Hon’ble Mr. Shivraj V. Patil, Minister of Home Affairs of India, to Egypt (5-9 January 2008)

H. E. Mr. Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, received Hon’ble Mr. Shivraj V. Patil, Minister of Home Affairs of India, this morning at Sharm el Sheikh.

During the call, Mr. Patil conveyed the greetings and good wishes of the President and the Prime Minister of India to President Mubarak and the friendly people of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Mr. Patil expressed appreciation of Egypt’s role and, in particular of the personal efforts made by H. E. Mr. Mohamed Hosni Mubarak to promote peace and stability in the region. Mr. Patil also lauded the visible progress made by Egypt under President Mubarak’s leadership and guidance. Mr. Patil reiterated the priority assigned by India to the traditional, deep-rooted relations with Egypt. Noting that India and Egypt faced similar challenges, Mr. Patil emphasized that his visit would lead to strengthened cooperation between the two countries.

President Mubarak noted with satisfaction the continuing high-level bilateral exchanges during the last one year and the further consolidation and deepening of the Indo-Egyptian relationship in diverse fields of cooperation. President Mubarak expressed confidence that Mr. Patil’s visit would strengthen the contacts and promote better understanding.

President Mubarak and Hon’ble Mr. Patil had a detailed exchange of views on the international situation, in particular, developments in the region.

Hon’ble Mr. Patil reiterated the invitation from the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh to President Mubarak to visit India at an early and convenient date, and assured President Mubarak that Indian leaders were looking forward to his visit to India.

Hon’ble Mr. Patil, who arrived in Cairo yesterday evening on an official visit, will call on H.E. Mr. Habib El Adly, Minister of Interior of the Arab Republic of Egypt tomorrow. Delegation-level talks between the Indian Home Ministry delegation and the Egyptian Interior Ministry delegation will also be held tomorrow.

The itinerary also includes meetings with other senior Egyptian dignitaries on Tuesday.

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