Indian ambassador Reddy, Malhotra, Secretary (South) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Ghali, Vice President of Ain Shams University.
The conference, held on 8–9 February, was organized by the Indian embassy in Cairo and Ain Shams University.
It brought together scholars and language experts from seven African countries: Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, Mauritius, Nigeria, and South Africa, as well as representatives from Egyptian universities, including Ain Shams, Cairo University, and Al-Azhar.
The two-day event reflects India’s broader effort to expand cultural diplomacy and academic partnerships across Africa and the Arab world, using language, education, and cultural exchange to deepen people-to-people connections between India and Egypt.
Participants at the Africa Regional Hindi Conference in Cairo, photo courtesy of the Indian embassy.
Speaking at the opening session, Indian Ambassador to Egypt Suresh K. Reddy said the initiative underscored India’s commitment to strengthening civilizational links with Africa.
Neena Malhotra, secretary (South) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Ramy Maher Ghali, vice president of Ain Shams University, also attended, alongside diplomats and senior academics.
Participants discussed Hindi’s role in fostering cultural connectivity and its growing relevance in international relations and cultural diplomacy.
Sessions also explored the global influence of Indian cinema and the future of Hindi in technology and artificial intelligence.
Scholars from Cairo University, Al-Azhar University, and several African institutions delivered presentations and joined panel discussions focused on expanding Hindi teaching and research.
Delegates called for stronger institutional cooperation through faculty exchanges, student mobility programmes, and joint research initiatives.
Organizers said the conference highlighted the historical and cultural links between India and Egypt, two ancient civilizations with longstanding traditions of knowledge exchange.
The event concluded with an agreement to enhance academic collaboration and promote Hindi language studies across Africa through sustained partnerships between universities and cultural institutions.
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