In Egypt,Krishna makes first contact with Brotherhood

Krishna thanked Tantawi for the “extraordinary cooperation” extended by Egypt in evacuating more than 3,000 Indians from eastern Libya last year,and the protection extended to major Indian investment projects during the unrest.

However,the most significant meeting was with Mohamed Morsy,the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm,the Freedom and Justice Party,which has emerged as the largest political party after the first election to the post-Mubarak Egyptian parliament.

With the Brotherhood appearing set to dominate the political landscape of Egypt,Krishna’s meeting with its political wing’s leader can be seen as part of efforts to achieve a smooth transition in ties with the new dispensation in the country.