First time: Egyptian Army contingent will take part in 74th Republic Day celebrations

SSBCrackExams
January 23, 2023
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The Egyptian military force will march in the Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path for the first time. The Egyptian military will take part in the 74th Republic Day celebrations because Chief Guest Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt, will simultaneously be on a state visit to India.

Around 180 members of the Egyptian military will take part in the parade during the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Over 100 members strong Egyptian Army contingent practices at kartavya path ahead of India’s Republic day parade this week. Egyptian President El Sisi is the chief guest at India’s Republic day this year.

Republic Day 2023

The President of the Arab Republic of Egypt is the Chief Guest on our Republic Day for the first time. The Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement that a military unit from the Egyptian Army would take part in the Republic Day parade.

Also read: Indo-Egypt Joint Training Exercise Cyclone – I

The inclusion of an Egyptian military contingent in the Republic Day celebrations comes at a time when the two countries are conducting the first-ever joint exercise between the Special Forces. The Exercise named Cyclone-I is being held in Rajasthan where the Special Forces contingents of both nations are taking part in various activities to enhance their skills and interoperability.

India-Egypt Defence Cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid an official visit to Egypt from September 19-20, 2022. The official visit focused on strengthening bilateral ties and relationships between both nations. Reportedly, the Defence Ministers of India and Egypt were also expected to ink an MoU to strengthen the Defence ties.

In June last year, a contingent of the Indian Air Force participated in the month-long ‘Tactical Leadership Programme’at Egyptian Air Force (EAF) Weapon School in Egypt. In October 2021, the Indian Air Force-Egyptian Air Force held the first-ever Joint Tactical Air Exercise ‘Desert Warrior’. Reportedly, India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has proposed partially establishing a production plant in Egypt to develop indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

India and Egypt share a strong Defence relationship wherein both nations conduct various pieces of training, joint exercises, Defence exhibitions, etc under the Joint Defence Committee (JDC). Recently, both nations have witnessed many high-level visits and bilateral exercises.

During the Egyptian President’s state visit to India this year, when both countries are commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations, it can be expected that leaders from both sides will hold deliberations on furthering the defence ties.