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Journalism of Courage
For the first time since Hosni Mubarak stepped down,India will be reaching out to the new political leadership in Egypt. Days after the country voted for constitutional reforms,Minister of State E Ahamed will be flying to Cairo for a two-day visit on March 30.
Sources said that New Delhi wanted to be one of the first off the blocks to engage the new political leaders in Egypt,as well as to meet the emerging players who are presidential candidates for the elections later this year.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe have already visited Egypt.
Ahamed will be meeting Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil el-Arabi,Deputy Prime Minister Yahya al-Jamal and Minister for International Cooperation Fayza Abou El Naga.
Egypts Ambassador to India Khaled El Bakly confirmed that Ahamed would be visiting Cairo this week. Asked whether there would be a visit from the Egyptian side as well,Bakly said: As of now,the Ministers visit is what I can confirm.
The Minister of State will also meet Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa,who is one of the Egyptian presidential candidates for the polls to be held in November this year.
India has offered to help Egypt shape the democratic processes,especially elections,in the country,following a US request in this regard. Cairo is looking at various models,and Ahameds visit could help take these discussions forward.
Ahamed may also meet leaders from the Muslim Brotherhood,which is expected to join the electoral fray.
Apart from politics,India and Egupt will also be looking at economic cooperation,with oil and gas key components of trade between the two.
