Cairo - On June 25th, during his inaugural State visit to Egypt, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was bestowed with the prestigious 'Order of the Nile' award, the highest state honor of Egypt. The award ceremony took place in Cairo and was conducted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. This significant recognition exemplifies the exceptional contributions made by PM Modi to Egypt and humanity as a whole.
PM Modi's visit to Egypt holds great significance as he became the first Indian Prime Minister to undertake an official visit to the African nation since 1997. It reflects the growing importance of bilateral relations between India and Egypt and highlights the mutual desire to strengthen cooperation in various domains.
The Prime Minister's arrival in Cairo from the United States was marked by a grand ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour, showcasing the warm reception accorded to him by the Egyptian government and people.
The 'Order of the Nile' was established in 1915 by Sultan Hussein Kamel of Egypt and holds a prominent place among the country's honors. Notably, this prestigious award can be conferred upon deserving individuals from both Egypt and foreign nations who have made remarkable contributions to Egypt's progress or have rendered outstanding services to humanity.
The official website of the Egyptian Presidency provides insights into the symbolic design of the 'Order of the Nile.' It comprises a pure gold collar consisting of three square gold units adorned with Pharaonic symbols. The first unit symbolizes the protection of the state against evil forces, the second unit signifies the prosperity and happiness brought by the Nile, and the third unit represents wealth and endurance.
The three units are interconnected by a circular gold flower embellished with turquoise and ruby, while a hexagonal pendant featuring Pharaonic-style flowers and turquoise and ruby gems hangs from the collar. The central protruding symbol on the pendant represents the Nile, symbolically uniting the North (depicted by the Papyrus) and the South (represented by the Lotus).
In addition to the award ceremony, PM Modi's itinerary included other significant engagements. He paid a visit to the Heliopolis Commonwealth War Cemetery, where he paid homage to Indian soldiers who displayed immense bravery and made the ultimate sacrifice in Egypt and Palestine during the First World War. This gesture underscores the shared history and sacrifices of Indian and Egyptian forces.
Furthermore, PM Modi held fruitful discussions with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. The talks focused on deepening cooperation across a wide range of sectors, such as trade and investment, renewable energy, green hydrogen, information technology, digital payment platforms, pharmaceuticals, and fostering stronger people-to-people ties. These discussions aimed to strengthen the existing bilateral relations and explore new avenues for collaboration between India and Egypt.
Overall, PM Modi's visit to Egypt and the conferral of the 'Order of the Nile' award signify the deepening friendship, mutual respect, and commitment to enhanced cooperation between India and Egypt.