India Republic day 2023 live updates: India making key contributions for global stability, says Putin in R-Day greetings

A multi-layer security cover has been put in place ahead of Republic Day celebrations in the national capital to thwart any untoward incident, officials said on Wednesday. Police have stepped up anti-sabotage checks, verification drives and patrolling. Around 6,000 security personnel will be deployed and a total of 24 help desks will be set up in the New Delhi district for those who will attend the celebrations, the officials said.

Visiting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Wednesday held wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital and decided to elevate their ties to the level of strategic partnership.

We spoke about fighting against terrorism, and also discussed COP 27. We also discussed the security cooperation between Egypt and India. I have thanked PM Modi for inviting Egypt as a guest country for the upcoming G20 summit: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El –Sisi

"Tomorrow I am going to take part in the Republic Day parade. I am thankful to PM Modi for such a grand welcome. During our discussions, we talked about trade and investment and how to further expand our cooperation in import and export."

We have decided to elevate our bilateral relations with Egypt to a strategic partnership. We've decided that under India-Egypt Strategic Partnership we will develop a longterm framework for greater cooperation in the fields of politics, security, economics & science: PM Modi

There has been an increase in Jt exercise training & capacity building between us. We'll also cooperate on misuse of cyberspace that helps in spreading extremism and radicalisation. We also held discussions on supply chain that was disrupted due to Covid & Ukraine crisis: PM Modi

"India and Egypt are two of the oldest civilisations. There is a history of trade relations between our two countries. In the last few years, our bilateral ties have deepened. This year Egypt has been invited as a special guest at the upcoming G20 meeting," PM Modi says.

India and Egypt exchange MoUs in the fields of cyber security, culture, information technology, cooperation on youth matters and broadcasting.

The country's largest paramilitary force, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), got the highest 48 PMGs followed by 31 from the Maharashtra Police, 25 from the J-K Police, nine from the Jharkhand Police, seven each from the Delhi Police, the Chhattisgarh Police and the Border Security Force (BSF), it said.

A total of 901 police personnel drawn from the CAPFs and state forces have been awarded various service medals, including for gallant action, on the occasion of the 74th Republic Day, the Union home ministry said Wednesday. The tally includes 140 Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG).

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today held a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi who is the chief guest for India's 74th Republic Day.

"The relations between Egypt and India have been characterised by balance and stability. We have only seen constructive development. We have been all along evolving very positively," he said further.The Egyptian President also expressed his desire to take the bilateral relations between the two countries to a new horizon. "I expect through this visit that we take our bilateral level to a whole new horizon, where we can reach the relationship and partnership between the two countries at all levels. I look with great esteem to the sustainable development experience of India," he said.

India has also invited Egypt as a 'guest country" during its G20 Presidency. Before heading towards India, the Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that the invitation President El-Sisi received to attend the celebrations as a guest of honour reflects the convergence between the two countries, according to the statement released by the Egyptian President's website.

He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including five ministers and senior officials on his official visit from January 24-27.

El-Sisi was also welcomed by several other Union Ministers including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi VK Saxena among others.