Egypt president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to be chief guest at Republic Day celebrations
New Delhi (PTI): Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in January, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday.
"This is the first time that the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt will be the Chief Guest at our Republic Day," the MEA said in a statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent a formal invitation to al-Sisi which was handed over to the Egyptian president by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on October 16.
Both countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
Egypt has been invited as a 'Guest Country' during India's Presidency of G-20 in 2022-23, the statement said.
"India and Egypt enjoy warm and friendly relations based on civilisational and deep-rooted people-to-people ties," the statement said.
Leaders of friendly nations have graced the Republic Day celebrations since 1950, when the then Indonesian President Sukarno was invited as the chief guest.
In 1952, 1953 and 1966, the Republic Day celebrations were held without a foreign leader as chief guest.
In 2021, the then British prime minister Boris Johnson was invited as the chief guest but his visit had to be cancelled due to the rising COVID-19 cases in Britain.
This year, India had invited leaders of the five Central Asian Republics, who were to visit Delhi for the India-Central Asia Summit, as chief guests for the Republic Day celebrations.
However, the visit was cancelled due to rising COVID-19 cases in India. The India-Central Asia Summit was held in the virtual format.
In 2018, the entire Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leadership comprising 10 heads of state was present at the Republic Day parade.
In 2020, the then Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro was the chief guest.
Former US President Barack Obama (2015), Russian President Vladimir Putin (2007), former French presidents Nicholas Sarkozy (2008) and Francois Hollande (2016) have also been chief guests at the Republic Day celebrations in the past.
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We could pass a law here that makes Bumrah bowl left-handed: Australian PM Anthony Albanese
Sydney, Jan 1: Such has been the impact of Jasprit Bumrah in the Border-Gavaskar trophy that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese jokingly suggested a law that forces India's pace spearhead to bowl "left-handed or off one step" against the home team.
The right-handed Bumrah, considered as the world's best fast bowler across formats, has caused plenty of trouble for the Australian batters and has taken 30 wickets in four Tests.
Albanese, who hosted the Indian and Australian players here on Wednesday ahead of the decisive fifth Test, spoke glowingly of Bumrah.
"We could pass a law here that says he has to bowl left-handed or off one step. Every time he has come onto bowl has been very exciting,” Albanese said in a lighter vein, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
"The Australian and Indian teams have already given us an incredible summer of cricket," Albanese later wrote on social media.
"When the fifth test starts on Friday, the SCG will be a sea of pink in support of the great work of the McGrath Foundation. Go Australia!," he added.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir spoke on behalf of the Indian team.
“Australia is a beautiful country to travel but a tough place to tour. Crowds have been absolutely amazing. We’ve got another Test match to go. Hopefully we can entertain the crowd,” he said.
Australian captain Pat Cummins played a big part in ensuring a 2-1 series lead for his team going into Sydney.
Reflecting on the last week, he said: “The last week in Melbourne is right up there is one of the best Test matches we’ve been involved with,” Cummins said. “Over the five days, I’ve never seen anything like it.
“Looking forward to this week. It’s a decider. It’s our chance to win the series. Can’t wait.”
The outcome of the Sydney Test will determine if the hosts regain the trophy after more than a decade.
In Melbourne, Bumrah became the fastest Indian pacer to 200 wickets, achieving the feat in his 44th game.
