India 360: Indo-Egypt

UPSCPORTAL presents the fourth article of the India 360 series.

This section is on Indo-Egypt relations. Here the audio gives an overview of the Egyptian economy, culture, geography and ties with India.

Please click on the below to listen to the audio file.

The main points of the Discussion are as under-

• Speakers: Vineeta Menon and Pradip Kumar.

• Egypt is spread over two continents- Africa and Asia.

• It has the world's longest river- NILE- which has supported one of the oldest civilizations in the world.

• Cairo is the capital city of Egypt, and also one of the densest cities in the world.Cairo is also the headquarter of the Arab League.

• Egypt has the oldest Islamic University- the Al-Azhar university.

• Islam came to Egypt in the 7th century.

• Egypt has a unique location, in the form of the man-made navigable waterways- Suez Canal, which serves as the connecting link between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean.

• Egypt is a crucial link between Europe and Asia.

• About 95% of Egypt is covered by the Sahara desert.

• Only 3% land is arable. But it is cropped more than once a year.

• Egypt is the principal producer of the long-staple cotton in the world.

• Egyptian cuisine is mostly vegetarian, and consist of legumes and vegetables, that are grown in the along with the Nile river.

• India and Egypt has enjoyed a cordial relation since long. There has been     a tourist contact between the two countries since ancient times.

• Indian Ambassador to Egypt- Mr. Navdeep Suri- mentions that the relation     between the two countries is special, and has a historical dimension.

• There has been an exceptional relation between Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Egypt President Nasser. Both the countries have played an instrumental role in the emergence of the NAM (Non-Alignment Movement).

• The relation between the two countries is based on mutual understanding     and collaboration.

• The Pan-African e-network, in Egypt, is based at Alexandria University, under the Indian flagship. It helps the Egyptian youth do masters from the top Indian universities.

• Lately,     Shahrukh Khan starer- Chennai Express- was released in Egypt. It was the first bollywood film to have been released in Egypt after a silence of 25 years.

• India also has a cultural programme in Egypt, called- India by the Nile.

• India also maintains a cultural center- Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture, in Egypt. Indian embassy also maintains many yoga classes     and Hindi-Urdu classes.

• Economically,     Egypt has been one of India’s important trading partners.

• There has been a steep increase in the economic engagement between the two     countries.

• India is Egypt's 7th largest trading partner, with a diversified export basket.

• Main imports from Egypt to India include- Oil, Natural Gas, Phosphate and Chemicals.

• The economic ties has been transformed due to the enhanced role of Indian FDI in Egypt.

• Football is the national sport of Egypt. It is among the top teams in Africa, and has won the Africa Cup 7 times.

• Egypt is highly ranked in Squash, with 5 Egyptian holding ranks in the top 10 squash players of the world.

More Updates coming soon.

We wish the candidates, All the Best!!

Team UPSCPORTAL

© UPSCPORTAL.COM

Courtesy: Prasar Bharti

<< Go Back to Main Page