Al Akhbar, p.12, (22-11-2008)

President Mubarak's historical visit to India

By: Abdallah Hassan, MENA Chairman and Editor-in-Chief

The historical visit of President Mubarak to India last week is a turning point in the history of the Egyptian-Indian relations. The Indian officials and people love and appreciate Egypt. They still remember the late president Gamal Abdel Nasser, the first Egyptian president to visit India about half a century ago. Along with the great Indian leader Jawaharlal Nehru, Abdel Nasser founded the Non-Aligned Movement. The Indians recognise that Egypt is the most significant country in the Middle East, a nation of ancient civilization dating back to thousands of years. Despite its limited role currently, NAM was a grouping that faced colonization powers in the last century. These powers used to overuse the resources of the developing countries, exploit their peoples and deprive them of all the requirements of living. Since the Revolution of the 23^rd of July, 1952, Egypt has led the struggle for freedom in Africa, while India has led such a struggle in Asia since the emergence of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi fought colonization in his own way as he adopted passive resistance and so forced the occupier to leave the country.

President Mubarak's visit revived in senior Indian officials the spirit of challenge and highlighted the necessity of cooperation for a better future and for standing up to adverse international circumstances threatening the developing countries, the last of which was the world financial crisis. President Mubarak was warmly welcomed by Indian officials as soon as he arrived in New Delhi. Preparations have been made before this long-awaited visit. A special dinner was held by the Indian Prime Minister and his spouse for President Mubarak, his spouse and the accompanying delegation. The dinner, which was held at the Prime Minister's house, had a friendly atmosphere. Holding the dinner at the house of the Prime Minister signifies his appreciation to President Mubarak and his spouse. Evidently, the two sides were determined on leaving the past behind and starting a new stage that ensures raising the volume of investments and trade exchange in the upcoming period to upgrade the economic relations up to the level of the bilateral historical relations. The official reception of President Mubarak at the presidential palace reflected the appreciation of the President of India Mrs. Pratibha Patil to President Mubarak.

In a stately ceremony, President Mubarak received from the President of India the Nehru Award for International Understanding. The Award was granted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to President Mubarak for backing security and stability in the Middle East, putting an end to terrorism in Egypt, exerting efforts on economic reform in Egypt, achieving high growth rates and promoting services for Egyptian citizens. In spite of being short, the visit had considerably affected the Egyptian-Indian relations. It gave a strong push to bilateral relations. These relations will grow and flourish in view of the determination of the two sides to promote them. The Egyptian-Indian Business Forum, which was attended by President Mubarak, was a good opportunity for major Indian businessmen to declare their intention to raise their investments in Egypt in various fields. Some of them spoke about their experiments in Egypt and their views on the current investment atmosphere. They praised Egypt's developed infrastructure, as well as the procedures and legislations made by the government in the recent years to facilitate the activity of foreign investors in Egypt. It is noteworthy that in spite of the technological advance India achieved and its costly space program, India's infrastructure still needs to be developed. However, the Indians are progressing towards a better future.

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