A popular relationship
As he prepares to head back to his homeland, India's ambassador to Egypt, Satnam Jit Singh, reflects on his three year term of service in Cairo
After spending nearly three years in Egypt, I return to India in the beginning of January. To say good-bye to a place that one makes one's home, however temporary, is never easy. But in case of Cairo, it would be particularly hard, because from the very moment of my landing in this beautiful city, along with my family, it has been Ahlan Wasahlan everywhere, all the time.
During my tenure in Egypt, both my wife and I have been the beneficiaries of so much love and affection from the people of Egypt that we leave a vast circle of friends behind, much bigger than in any other place we have stayed as diplomats. We had heard a lot about proverbial openness and hospitality of the Egyptian people, but to be blessed with the opportunity to experience it first hand is altogether a different matter. We have worked and lived as diplomats in nine other countries, including three from the Arab region; but Egypt is a class apart, without match. I can call my posting in Cairo as a high point and an appropriate culmination of my long diplomatic career.
Apart from being among friendliest people, in a country where literally "everyone wears a smile", what we found endearing about Cairo is its vibrance and vitality. The city is pulsating with life all the time. There is no dull spot in Cairo and there is never a dull moment in Cairo -- whether it is Souq Khan Al-Khalili or it is Cairo University or it is the Nile Corniche -- there is always a hustle and bustle. We discovered that Cairo is a city that never sleeps; the movement of people and vehicles never comes to a stop. Genuinely, it is a "city with a soul".
Even beyond Cairo, there is so much to see and experience. The remnants of ancient history are at every step, the manifestation of an ancient civilisation and culture is all pervasive. We were happy to experience the wonderful marine life of Sharm El- Sheikh in the East, almost virgin desert around Siwa Oasis in the West, the timeless monuments of Abu Simbel, Aswan and Luxor in the South and the soothing breeze of the port city of Alexandria in the North -- what a diversity of experience.
Professionally, the diplomatic assignment in Egypt has been most rewarding for me. I discovered that the relationship with India is a "popular relationship" in Egypt, going much beyond the official contacts. The past Indian leaders like Ghandi and Nehru and ever-green film stars like Amitabh Bachhan, are household names in Egypt. The bond of special friendship between Nehru and Nasr is still fondly remembered by many with a great deal of nostalgia. The Indian culture in general and the Indian films in particular, are much liked and appreciated in Egypt as back home in India. No wonder, whatever cultural event we organised, be it a fusion concert of Neel Prayag at the Pyramids or presentation of Indian wedding scene "Solah Shingar", the response from the public was simply overwhelming. It is also heartening to discern here so much regard for Indian democracy, secularism, liberal values and achievements in areas like information technology, science and technology, industry and agriculture.
I was happy to see the bilateral relations further expanding and consolidating during my tenure. Whether it was commercial exchanges, which achieved the highest ever level of $777 million last year, or fresh investments of Indian capital and technology, or collaboration in the field of small/medium industries and information technology, there was a significant enhancement of bilateral interaction. Politically, regular contacts and consultations were maintained between the two ministries of foreign affairs. Also, there was a close coordination among representatives of the two countries in various international organisations.
I was privileged to enjoy frequent access to the Egyptian establishment at all levels, including senior leadership of the country. The opportunity of interacting with so many intellectuals, academicians and media luminaries was, also, an enriching experience. While exchange of high-level visits between the two countries regularly took place, my wish to see President Mubarak visiting India during my tenure remained unfulfilled, owing to his preoccupation with the unstable and unpredictable situation in the Middle East. This much-awaited visit, as when it takes place, would no doubt, mean a quantum jump in our traditionally close bilateral relations, imparting it a fresh momentum.
I was much impressed with the role that Egypt continues to play under the wise leadership of President Mubarak, to find the ever elusive durable solution to the long festering Palestinian issue. Being the biggest country and as the political centre, cultural centre, educational centre and media centre of the Arab region, Egypt has inherent responsibility to ensure peace and stability in the area. I was happy to find that this responsibility is being discharged with full diligence and involvement, even at times, at personal cost to Egypt itself.
Well, dear readers, I came to Egypt as an ambassador and leave the country as a friend. As I tasted the proverbial Nile water, I am confident that I would come back to Cairo again before long. After all, how can one stay away without meeting again so many friends left behind? That is why I would not like to say "good-bye", but to say "see you again".
