Suez Canal: Important sea route of international trade
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit after his state visit to America Egypt Travel is also considered very important. During this, many bilateral agreements are to be signed between the two countries. Before the visit of PM Modi, Egypt has said – it will Suez Canal Economic Zone I am presenting a special slot offer. In fact, Egypt also expects investment from India in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
The Suez Canal is also an important issue in the talks between the two countries. The international waterway of Suez Canal is very important for India. Through this route, 500,000 barrels of crude oil is sent to India daily. Apart from this, India’s import-export also happens with many countries of the world through this waterway, which is considered very easy and less expensive.
What is Suez Canal?
The Suez Canal is not a natural but a man-made waterway. It connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea and then to the Indian Ocean. It has been made a smooth route for ship operations between Europe and Asia. After its formation, there is no need to go round the African continent. And can go directly from the North Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. This waterway has been considered very important for international trade.
Where is the Suez Canal?
The Suez Canal is located on the border of Egypt. It is named after the city of Suez. This canal extends for 120 miles from Port Said on the Mediterranean Sea to the city of Suez in the south. This canal separates the greater part of Egypt from the Sinai Peninsula.
Today, 50 ships travel through this route daily, which carry more than 300 million tonnes of goods every year. In view of the increasing trade, in the year 2014, the Egyptian government increased the width of Suez from 61 meters to 312 meters for a distance of 21 miles. Despite this, its width is believed to be less.
When and how was the Suez Canal built?
It was officially opened on November 17, 1869. At that time Egypt was ruled by Britain and France. It took 10 years to make it. About 15 lakh people worked on this project for a whole decade. It cost about $100 million to build the Suez Canal.
In fact, the idea of building a direct waterway between the two water bodies was first discussed in the 1830s. The credit for which goes to French explorer and engineer Linant de Bellefonds.
How important is Suez Canal for India?
India has had old and good trade relations with European countries. But the transport between the two regions by sea route used to take a long time due to the arrival of the continent of Africa. It used to take a long time. But after the Suez Canal was opened, the distance between Britain and India decreased by about 4,500 miles.
The Suez Canal reduced the distance between India and European countries by 7000 km. Many of India’s businesses are carried out by sea vessels, these include crude oil, raw gold, coal, solid fuels, diamonds and mechanical equipment, special metals, organic chemicals, plastics, iron and steel, etc. Through the Suez Canal, India gets a lot of convenience in import-export with western countries.
Also read: Why does Egypt not care about Muslim countries for friendship with India?
