PM Modi arrives in New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday midnight landed at Delhi's Palam airport after concluding his first-ever state visits to US and Egypt.
He was received at the Delhi airport by BJP president JP Nadda and other party leaders.
Modi US tour
On June 20, Modi began his five-day visit. He was in the US from June 21 to June 24. His trip to the US began in New York, where he presided over a historic celebration of the 9th International Day of Yoga on June 21 at the UN headquarters. Later, in Washington DC, he was given a red-carpet welcome at the White House by President Biden. The two leaders held a historic summit, followed by Modi's address to Congress and a State Dinner hosted at the White House by the Bidens in his honour.
The visit was marked by several major deals to boost cooperation in key areas such as defence, space and trade. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden hailed the "landmark" pact to jointly produce jet engines in India to power military aircraft and the US drone deal.
Modi first Indian leader to address joint session of US Congress twice
Modi on Thursday became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice. His first address to a joint meeting of the US Congress was in 2016. During his address, he sought action against state sponsors of terrorism. Modi also made a strong push for reforming multilateral institutions, including the UN, and spoke glowingly of India's ties with the US. On Friday, US Vice President Kamala Harris along with Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted a luncheon for the Indian leader at the State Department. Modi also met top CEOs of the US and India at the White House.
PM Egypt visit
Modi, who arrived in Cairo on Saturday after concluding a high-profile state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden, was received at the airport by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. His two-day state visit to Egypt at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is also the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister since 1997.
Modi held talks with President El-Sisi
Modi held talks with President El-Sisi on Sunday and discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries with a focus on improving trade and investments, energy ties and people-to-people connections. The two countries elevated their relationship to a 'Strategic Partnership'.
Modi conferred 'Order of the Nile' award
President El-Sisi conferred Modi with 'Order of the Nile' award - Egypt's highest state honour. This is the 13th highest state honour conferred upon Prime Minister Modi.
Modi visited Egypt's historic Al-Hakim Mosque
Earlier in the day, Modi visited Egypt's historic 11th-century Al-Hakim Mosque, restored with the help of the Dawoodi Bohra community. He also visited the Heliopolis Commonwealth War Cemetery in Cairo and paid homage to over 4,300 valiant Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in Egypt and Aden during World War I. He also took a tour of the pyramids at Giza.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Modi met with the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawky Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, and discussed issues related to promoting social harmony and countering extremism and radicalisation. Later in the evening, Modi met members of the Indian community in Egypt who showered fulsome praise on him, hailing him as ‘India's hero'.
He also met prominent personalities in Egypt, including Hassan Allam, CEO of one of the largest Egyptian companies operating in the Middle East and North African region, and Tarek Heggy, a renowned author and petroleum strategist.
(With agencies input)
