Al Ahram Al Massai, p.1, (21/11/2008)

A historic visit that contributes to correcting the international equation

By: Morsi Atallah

What did the visit of President Mubarak to India achieve? This question necessitates that we have a comprehensive vision of the whole situation and delve deeply beyond the statements given and the mutual benefits of Egypt and India that will be achieved out of this visit.

The statement of President Mubarak on board of his airplane on his way back to Egypt about the wide prospects of the Egyptian-Indian relations is based on precise studies of the available opportunities of boosting all fields of economic and investment cooperation under the umbrella of bilateral political coordination.

In fact the warmth that shrouded the visit since the arrival of the President to New Delhi last Sunday until his departure early morning on Wednesday reflected the sincere desire of Indian leaders to restore the conditions prevailing when there were common political stances taken by both countries. This situation was very effective in steering the wheel of the international politics towards getting more support for the legitimate rights and aspirations of Third World countries under the umbrella of NAM headed by Titu, Nehru and Nasser.

Egypt will never forget the honorable stances of India during the Suez crisis in 1956 and during the June 1967 aggression against Egypt. India also remembers with a lot of appreciation the Egyptian efforts aiming at reaching a political solution for the issue of Kashmir and putting an end for all tension and disputes in the Indian subcontinent. Security and stability in this region are considered prerequisites for security and stability in the Arab gulf.

This visit was necessary for strengthening strategic dialogue between Egypt and India to revive the NAM which was able to face international variables and crises on top of which comes the recent global financial crisis. Egypt and India have mutual trust and aspirations in all fields.

I don’t exaggerate if I say that this visit with its wide-scale repercussions will lead to a remarkable shift aiming at holding a balanced dialogue between the rich north and the poor south for reaching international understanding. President Mubarak won the award of international understanding and donated its money for the Egyptian National Institute for Cancer.

It was a tiring but fruitful journey just like all the journeys of President Mubarak abroad which aim at boosting the Egyptian role and serving the interests of the Egyptian citizens.