Egypt’s Highest State Honour, ‘Order of the Nile,’ Bestowed Upon PM Modi

Cairo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with Egypt’s highest state award, the ‘Order of the Nile,’ by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. This prestigious recognition marks the 13th such honour bestowed upon PM Modi by various countries worldwide.

During his visit to Egypt, PM Modi visited the historic al-Hakim Mosque, an 11th-century structure in Cairo, and paid homage at the Heliopolis Commonwealth War Cemetery. This bilateral trip is significant as it marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Egypt in 26 years.

The Prime Minister engaged in talks with President El-Sisi, who extended an invitation for the visit. In a reciprocal gesture, El-Sisi is set to travel to India in September as a special guest for the G-20 Summit.

At the al-Hakim Mosque, PM Modi admired the intricately carved inscriptions adorning the walls and doorways. The mosque’s reconstruction was facilitated by India’s Dawoodi Bohra community, hailing from the Fatimids, who have been maintaining the mosque since 1970.

PM Modi also paid his respects at the Heliopolis War Cemetery, where he honoured the memory of nearly 4,000 Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the First World War in Egypt and Palestine.

India’s Ambassador to Egypt, Ajit Gupte, emphasized the Prime Minister’s close association with the Bohra community, which has been present in Gujarat for many years.

The Prime Minister’s visit strengthens bilateral ties between India and Egypt while commemorating historical and cultural connections.