India extends diplomatic recognition to South Sudan

Juba, Jul 10 (PTI) India has become one of the first
nations to accord diplomatic recognition to South Sudan, the
world's youngest country which split away from Khartoum-ruled
north after decades of brutal war that claimed nearly two
million lives.
The recognition was accorded through a letter by Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh to South Sudan's new President General
Salva Kiir Mayardit, shortly after he assumed power at the
Independence Day function here on Saturday.
"On this historic occasion, the government of India
extends formal recognition to the independent state of South
Sudan," the Prime Minister's letter said.
The letter was handed over to General Mayardit by
India's ambassador to Sudan A K Pandey, Secretary (East) in
the Ministry of External Affairs Sanjay Singh told reporters.
Officials accompanying Vice President Hamid Ansari,
who attended South Sudan's independence day function, said
that India would soon be appointing its Ambassador in Juba. At
present, India has a Consul General here.
A colourful ceremony, which marked the historic
occasion -- the birth of a new nation, was attended among
others by Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir and UN chief Ban
Ki-moon.
South Sudan would hence be the 193rd country to be
recognised by the UN and the 54th member state from Africa.
Earlier on Friday, Sudan extended official recognition to
South Sudan, calling it an independent state.
Before attending the independence day celebration here
on Saturday, Ansari held wide-ranging talks with Ugandan
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
They discussed piracy emanating from Somalia and agreed
that the menace on the high seas should be dealt with in a
multi-pronged manner
During their 45-minute talks, the two sides felt that
assistance should be directed to Somalian authorities to deal
with piracy, the Secretary (East) said.
The two leaders also discussed the situation in Libya and
agreed with the view and efforts of the African Union that the
conflict there should be resolved through dialogue, Singh
said.
The situation in India's neighbourhood, including
Afghanistan, also figured prominently during the parleys.
Besides, the two sides discussed issues relating to
Indian investment in Uganda which is to the tune of over a
billion dollar now, Indian High Commissioner to Uganda S Ray
said.
The Indian side conveyed to Kampala that Indian corporate
sector was keen on investing in the region and last year
itself people of Indian-origin in Uganda and other Indians had
invested nearly USD 300 million.
Issues relating to trade and investment in industry,
technology, agriculture, including tea and dairy sectors,
besides those in the fields of education, human resource
development and capacity building also figured during the
talks.
Indian investment in oil sector in Uganda also came up
for discussion during Ansari's talks with the Ugandan
President on Friday, Ray said. PTI SC
DBR