Close up: Copy India By Salama A Salama Years ago, Egypt and India used to be very close. Both were struggling for independence, trying to shake off backwardness and keep their distance from major ideological camps. Nehru and Nasser led their countries down independent paths in domestic and foreign policy. They fought poverty, sponsored education and strove to achieve self-sufficiency. This attitude didn't survive for long. Even before the Soviet Union disintegrated and the Berlin Wall went down, the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM) had turned into a shadow of its former self. Egypt allied itself with the United States and pursued the Camp David path. India carried out its first nuclear test in 1974, faced Western sanctions, and subsequently allied itself with the Soviet Union. Giving up on NAM, India boosted its nuclear capabilities, worked hard to attain food sufficiency and established a credible democracy at home, one that protected it from sectarian strife. Egyptian-Indian relations waned as a result. But something in the history of the two countries remained uncannily similar. For example, Sadat was killed by fanatical Muslims in October 1981; then Indira Gandhi was assassinated by fanatical Sikhs in 1984. The right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party, which took over from the moderate Congress Party, failed to maintain the same level of interest Congress politicians used to take in Egypt and the Arab world. Egypt remained allied with America while India maintained an even-handed policy towards all. India's independent policies paid off eventually. Washington agreed to sign an agreement with India on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, not for a moment mentioning the need for Delhi to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Visiting India for the first time in 26 years, President Mubarak is reviving hopes that relations between Cairo and Delhi would regain some of their formal glory. Mubarak is a recipient of the Nehru Prize for Peace and International Understanding, and for years Indian officials have been expecting him to visit their country. They are particularly eager to see Cairo accord them the same degree of interest it now shows towards their regional rival, China. Egypt has been accused of playing a diminishing role on the international scene. Some say that Egypt's internal problems and its focus on relations with the West have weakened its interest in other parts of the world. But this seems to be changing now. Egypt is not only opening new channels with China, Japan and Russia. It is taking an active interest in various African and Asian nations. For instance, President Mubarak visited South Africa right before going to India with a sizeable economic delegation. Egypt wants to diversify its international ties and establish closer cooperation with regional powers around the world. India in particular is a suitable partner, not just because of its economic achievements but because its democracy is inspiring. I know that the focus of our government is on cooperation with India in things such as oil, industry and information technology. But the two countries have other things to discuss as well. For example, both Egypt and India have a shared interest in reforming the UN, tackling the global food situation and resolving the current financial crisis. The good news is that India has solid things to offer, such as its record on education, governance and decentralisation. Due to its history, income level and culture, India is closer to us than Europe. And it would be easier for us to copy India's success than those Western models that we often misinterpret and usually fail to implement.
