Egyptian Contingent

Egypt’s contingent participated in India’s 74th Republic Day parade in the presence of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Egyptian contingent marched across the parade’s length while saluting the dais, demonstrating the strong diplomatic ties between the two countries.

“It is a joy for us to participate in India. We are visiting India for the first time at this time. It is a wonderful country with a history that predates that of Egypt. Both our civilizations are quite old. With our buddies from the Indian Army, we have been practising here for the past few days. The group’s commander, Egyptian Colonel Mahmoud Mohamed Abdel Fattah El Kharasawy, spoke to the media on Wednesday and said, “Our friendship is strong, and we love supporting one other.

On Thursday, the Indian contingent marched alongside the Egyptian delegation, which was led by Colonel El Kharasawy and had 144 soldiers and represented the various branches of the Egyptian armed services.

A 12-member band marched behind the 144-person military force that made up the Egyptian representation at the parade. Behind the Egyptian contingent commander, an officer was holding the Egyptian flag while two officers each carried a ceremonial sword.

It is believed that the march of the Egyptian contingent and the president of Egypt’s visit are efforts to strengthen already-existing ties between Egypt and India. Since the 1960s, the two nations have maintained close defence relations.

Following an agreement reached between then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and then-Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, India participated in Egypt’s aircraft sector in the 1960s. The nations worked together to create the Helwan HA-300 fighter aircraft.

An Egyptian military contingent participates at India's Republic day parade in the presence of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. pic.twitter.com/VMOkBPaQ6p

— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 26, 2023

According to data on globalsecurity.org, a deal was signed in September 1964 between the two nations for the development of the E-300 engine. From the 1960s through 1984, Indian Air Force pilots also trained Egyptian pilots.

Exercise Cyclone-I, the first combined training session between the special forces of the two militaries, was recently held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on January 14, 2023. The exercise, which lasted 14 days, was designed to improve defence cooperation between the two countries with a focus on professional skill-sharing and Special Forces interoperability in desert terrain while conducting counterterrorism, reconnaissance, raids, and other special operations.

The exercise, which takes place in Rajasthan’s deserts, challenges both contingents to improve their special forces abilities, including sniping, combat free fall, reconnaissance, surveillance, and target designation. It also encourages communication between the two contingents regarding new weapons, equipment, tactics, techniques, and procedures.

India and Egypt on Wednesday upgraded their connection to a strategic partnership in addition to their long-standing military ties. The two nations will work to coordinate their efforts in the areas of politics, security, defence, energy, economy, and countering radicalization and cross-border terrorism.

After consulting with the Egyptian President, PM Modi declared, “We have chosen to transform our bilateral ties with Egypt into a strategic relationship. We will create a long-term framework under the India-Egypt Strategic Partnership for increased cooperation in the areas of politics, security, economy, and science.

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In addition, PM Modi stated that the two nations have agreed to increase their bilateral trade to $12 billion over the following five years.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India and Egypt’s bilateral trade totaled USD 7.26 billion in 2021–22. The two nations’ bilateral trade agreement has been in effect since March 1978.

On January 27, the Egyptian President will leave India and return to Egypt.

The Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force, as well as the military forces, displayed one of the primary themes of Republic Day, Nari Shakti (women power) (CRPF).

Women participated in the BSF’s Camel Contingent, and for the first time ever, a woman officer co-led a team of Corps of Signals “Daredevils” Motor Cycle Riders in the parade.

In the meantime, the Indian Army sent 61 cavalry columns, nine mechanised columns, six marching contingents, and an army aviation helicopter fly-past.

On Republic Day, 27 tableaux representing various States, Union Territories, Departments, and Armed Forces were on display.