India assures of good relations irrespective of South Sudan referendum result
By James Gatdet Dak
July 6, 2010 (JUBA) – The new Indian Ambassador to Sudan, Avanindra Kumar, has assured of his country’s continuous good relations with both Northern and Southern Sudan irrespective of the outcome of the referendum scheduled to take place in January 2011.
The visiting Ambassador made the assurance during his meeting on Tuesday with the Vice President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
Relations between Sudan and India dates back to 1960s few years after Sudan gained independence in January 1956. The meeting also stressed the importance of encouraging Indian investors to come to Southern Sudan and invest in various fields.
Ambassador Kumar commended the leadership of the Government of Southern Sudan for its wise approach on the referendum process, saying even if the country would split into two independent states; it would not mean creation of bad relations between the two parts of Sudan.
Machar briefed him on the referendum process, adding that the most likely scenario is that the country will split given the reading of the public opinion of the people of Southern Sudan.
This necessitates timely building of good relations between the two regions so that the most likely result of the referendum is responded to positively.
Dr. Machar further added that the nation needed to prepare itself on how it would react in the event of the people of Southern Sudan voting for independence.
The Vice President explained that Northern and Southern Sudan have so many issues in common, particularly in the area of resources such as water, oil, infrastructure, grazing land, movement of people and so forth which will demand creation of mutual cooperation as good neighbors even if the South would secede.
He also briefed the Ambassador on the referendum process for Abyei area as well as popular consultations for the two regions of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.
He explained that the people in these two regions would conduct their respective exercises to achieve self-autonomy within united Sudan.
The people of Southern Sudan are scheduled to vote in a referendum in less than six months from now to choose between remaining part of the rest of Sudan or establish their own independent country. The people of Abyei, who are Southern Sudanese, will also vote to either join the South or remain within the geographical North.
(ST)