Press Release No. 74

16 November 2006

Visit of H. E. Mr. N. Ravi, Secretary / Vice Minister, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India to Cairo

[18-20 November, 2006]

    H. E. Mr. N. Ravi, Secretary/Vice Minister in the Ministry of External Affairs of India will lead a delegation to Cairo on 18-20 November 2006 for the 6^th session of the Indo-Egyptian Foreign Office Consultations, at the invitation of H. E. Mr. Ali Hossam El Din El Hefny, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs. The Indian delegation includes H. E. Mr. A. Gopinathan, Ambassador of India to Egypt and senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs.

    During his visit, Mr. Ravi is likely to call on H. E. Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt.

    The agenda for the Consultations includes a comprehensive review of the entire gamut of bilateral ties and the projected development and directions of bilateral relations. The talks will also enable exchange of perspectives and views on regional and international issues of common interest.

    The traditional relations of friendship between India and Egypt are characterized by continued dialogue, exchange of visits, and mutual understanding. The current bilateral trade volume between the two countries exceeds USD 1 billion. Indian investments in Egypt, standing at about USD 400 million, look set to grow with several Indian companies evincing keen interest in the increasing business opportunities in Egypt.  The number of Indian tourists visiting Egypt has risen markedly in the last two years with about 50, 000 expected to visit this year.

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