CAIRO — “India by the Nile” is the biggest foreign cultural festival in Egypt in its fifth year. The Indian Embassy in Cairo and the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism kicked off the festival March 7, and it is set to end April 27. The festival features movies, musical performances, dancing, Indian food and yoga sessions, and they have attracted a high turnout, especially among young people. Activities are organized in public gardens, metro stations, public libraries, the Cairo Opera House and cultural centers in other governorates.

The festival is part of the activities that the Indian and Egyptian governments use to strengthen their ties. Indian Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya told Al-Monitor that India wants to renew the close bond with Egypt and revive developmental exchange through the India with the Nile project.

He said, “This year, we will focus on youths, since arts and culture constitute the real connecting bridge between Egypt and India.”

Ever since Bollywood movies brought Indian culture into Egyptian homes, many Egyptians have developed a fondness for it. Khaled Abdul Ilah, 18, clapped and cheered during an Indian dance performance at the Sadat Metro Station on April 5. He told Al-Monitor, “My friends and I love Bollywood movies, and Indian music brings joy.”