Al Akhbar, p.13, (29/11/2008)

The Egyptian-Indian ties and a new phase in history

By: Mostafa Abdel Kader

India has recently managed to be the third power in Asia following China and Japan after managing to send a spaceship one month ago to its orbit around the moon. The spaceship will spend two years discovering minerals and Helium which is used in nuclear fission on the surface of the moon.

A few days ago, Indian scientists celebrated the arrival of their spaceship to its orbit. This coincides with development of Egyptian Indian ties on all political, economic and social levels through the visit paid by President Mohammad Hosni Mubarak to India. President Mubarak. Before the Egyptian-Indian businessmen forum, he mentioned the reasons why Egypt has become one of the most attractive destinations for investments in Africa and the Middle East. This led the Indian companies to increase their investments to $ 3.5 billion after they were they were $ 800 million; this leap takes place after investors felt the investments and economic incentives in Egypt.

There are many reasons why the relationship between the two countries is strong. One of the most important reasons is the close historical ties between the two countries. The two countries have been strategic partners since king Ashok sent Ambassadors to Egypt to establish friendship ties. In modern times, there were close ties between Gandhi and Saad Zaghloul and between Nehru and Nasser.  The two leaders played an important role in Bandung conference in 1955 and in the establishment of the NAM. India also supported Egypt in the G8.

India has had a strong will that enabled it to overcome the challenge of the population increase as it has the second largest population in the world after China. It also faces problems related to poverty and diseases. In spite of all this, it insisted to be distinguished in the field of technology and science. We can benefit from the Indian experience in those fields.

The international financial crisis requires developing and poor countries to have more cooperation to contain the consequences of this crisis.

The visit of President Mubarak to India will encourage investors in both countries to increase their activities; in addition, there are several agreements signed in the fields of trade, industry and energy.