Cairo/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reached Egypt on Saturday on a 2-day state visit, received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in in the country.
PM Modi met several members of the Indian community at the Ritz Carlton Hotel where they welcomed him with the chants of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Modi Modi’.
The Indian community also sang songs to greet Modi as he met each of them at the event.
In a tweet, PM Modi said he was “deeply moved” by the warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in Egypt.
“Their support and affection truly embody the timeless bonds of our nations. Also noteworthy were people from Egypt wearing Indian dresses. Truly, a celebration of our shared cultural linkages,” he added.
Earlier on Saturday, Modi was welcomed by Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly at the airport as he landed in Cairo.
PM Modi is on a State visit to Egypt for the first time at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
It is also the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister since 1997.
During the two-day State visit, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with his Egyptian counterpart on a range of issues.
He will meet the grand mufti of Egypt at 10:20 pm (IST) and will then interact with Egyptian thought leaders.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schedule includes visiting the Al-Hakim mosque at around 1 pm (IST).
After that, he will visit the Heliopolis War Cemetery around 2 pm to pay homage to the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives for Egypt during World War 1.
The cemetery, established by the Commonwealth, serves as a memorial for the 3,799 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in various battles in Egypt during the First World War.
Afterwards, PM Modi will attend a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Egyptian Presidency.
The leaders will sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and will later hold a joint press briefing at around 5.30 pm.
This visit highlights the importance of bilateral relations between India and Egypt and signifies the mutual respect and cooperation between the two nations.
PM Modi will depart for New Delhi the same day around 6.30 pm (IST).
