Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the president of Egypt, presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the desired “Order of the Nile” medal during a ceremony in Cairo. The strongest state honour Egypt has ever received, this award represents the growing strategic alliance between the two countries.
The prestigious award known as the “Order of the Nile” is made of pure gold. It has three square gold pieces with pharaonic emblems on them. Each unit stands for a crucial element, such as the state’s defence against evil, the prosperity supplied by the Nile, wealth, and tenacity. A gold flower in the shape of a circle that is set with rubies and turquoise connects the pieces. The collar also has a hexagonal pendant with diamonds and flowers in the Pharaonic style.
The Order of the Nile was created in 1915 by Egyptian Sultan Hussein Kamel to honour people who have contributed significantly to their nation. It was reinstated as Egypt’s highest state honour in 1953 after the nation had previously served as one of the main orders of the Kingdom of Egypt.
The 11th-century architectural wonder Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo, which was renovated with the aid of India’s Dawoodi Bohra community, was one of the prime attractions for Prime Minister Modi during his visit. The mosque, which was finished three months ago, has a large footprint of 13,560 square metres, with a 5,000 square metre centre courtyard. The second Fatimid mosque in the Egyptian capital, it is the fourth-oldest mosque in Cairo and has significant cultural significance.
Following President El-Sisi’s attendance as the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January, this visit represents a key turning point in the bilateral relations between Egypt and India. The ‘Order of the Nile’ awarding Prime Minister Modi strengthens the ties of friendship and collaboration between the two countries.
In addition to the ‘Order of the Nile,’ Prime Minister Modi has previously been honored with distinguished awards such as the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan of Afghanistan, the Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia (awarded to non-Muslim dignitaries), and the Order of Zayed Award of the United Arab Emirates.
The recognition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the ‘Order of the Nile’ underscores his contributions to fostering international cooperation and diplomatic ties, promoting peace, and strengthening India’s global standing.