Egypt’s highest honour ‘Order of the Nile’ conferred on Indian PM Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Egypt’s highest state honor, ‘Order of the Nile’, by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. This is the 13th such highest state honor that various countries across the world have conferred upon PM Modi in the last nine years.

According to the Egyptian Presidency’s website, the Order of the Nile is a pure gold collar consisting of three-square gold units on which there are Pharaonic symbols. The first unit resembles the idea of protecting the state against evils, the second one resembles prosperity and happiness brought by the Nile and the third one refers to wealth and endurance.

The units are connected to one another by a circular gold flower decorated with turquoise and ruby. Hanging from the collar is a hexagonal pendant decorated with flowers of the Pharaonic style, and turquoise and ruby gems.

In the middle of the pendant, there is a protruding symbol representing the Nile that brings together the North (represented by the Papyrus) and the South (represented by the Lotus), the website said.

PM Modi is on his maiden State visit to Egypt. His visit to the African country is the first by an Indian Prime Minister since 1997.

Earlier today, PM Modi held talks with President Sisi and both leaders signed MoUs.

The Prime Minister also visited the Heliopolis Commonwealth War Cemetery and offered tributes to the Indian soldiers who bravely fought and laid down their lives in Egypt and Palestine during the First World War.

PM Modi offered floral tributes and signed the visitor’s book at the cemetery that comprises the Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial and the Heliopolis (Aden) Memorial.

The Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial commemorates nearly 4,000 Indian soldiers who died fighting in Egypt and Palestine in the First World War.

The Heliopolis (Aden) Memorial pays tribute to more than 600 men of the Commonwealth forces who sacrificed their lives for Aden during the First World War.

PM Modi paid a visit to the 11th-century Al-Hakim mosque, which was recently renovated with help from the Dawoodi Bohra community in India. The mosque has been named after Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, who was the 16th Fatimid caliph.

The Prime Minister walked around the mosque premises, admiring the architectural marvel. He was later handed over a portrait of the mosque’s courtyard.

PM Modi arrived in Cairo on Saturday on his first State visit to Egypt after wrapping up his engagements in the US, which was also his maiden State visit. He was received by his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly.

The Prime Minister’s two-day State visit to Egypt is at the invitation of President Sisi.

(inputs from news agency)