New Delhi: India and Sudan would deepen ties and also explore more diversified areas for mutual cooperation.
The recent visit to that country by Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, set the tone for "further diversifying and deepening our bilateral relations with Sudan," an MEA release said.
"Sudan has a small but vibrant Indian community of about 3000 persons, mostly businessmen, skilled workers and professionals working for various private sector companies and international organizations. MoS also interacted with a large section of the Indian community during the visit," the release said.
Mr V. Muraleedharan was on a visit to Sudan on October 18 and 19. During the visit, he called on General Abdel Fatah Al Burhan Abdul Rahman, Head of Transitional Sovereignty Council and Dr Abdallah Hamdok, Prime Minister and held discussions on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The MoS also had discussions with Dr Mariam Al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, Foreign Minister of Sudan, on bilateral cooperation and reviewed the entire gamut of the bilateral relations.
Mr Muraleedharan also visited the National Energy Research Center, Khartoum, to which India had provided photovoltaic modules' fabrication machines way back in 2007 under Exim Bank's Line of Credit. The fabrication line is still functional, and the Institute is very happy with its performance.
During the meetings, it was agreed to hold the 4th India-Sudan Joint Ministerial Committee at an early date to further impetus for the bilateral relationship.
"There is a mutual desire to further enhance bilateral trade and investments between India and Sudan," the MEA said.
The MoS also interacted with the Sudan Business Community on strengthening bilateral trade and commerce ties and called upon them to participate in India's growth story. India and Sudan are trying to achieve new heights in trade cooperation, focusing on commercial ties shifting from oil, investments, and capacity building.
According to media reports, India-Sudan bilateral trade has hovered around USD 327.27 million in 2005-06 to USD 1663.7 million by March 2019. India is the third-largest exporter to Sudan after China and Saudi Arabia. India imports sesame seed, gum, cotton, hides and groundnuts from Sudan and the total import touched USD 742.9 million in 2018-19.
India exports petroleum products, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textile, transport equipment and vegetable oils.
