Sudan, India agree to bolster economic ties and counter-terrorism efforts
May 4, 2026 (PORT SUDAN) – The foreign ministries of Sudan and India held a round of political consultations in Port Sudan on Monday to discuss strengthening economic and trade cooperation as well as counter-terrorism efforts.
The meetings follow several months after Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem conducted talks in New Delhi with Indian officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Those previous discussions resulted in an agreement to activate bilateral cooperation mechanisms and establish a strategic economic partnership.
Sudanese Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Mawia Osman Khalid and Suresh Kumar, Joint Secretary for West Asia and North Africa at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, co-chaired the ninth session of political consultations held at the ministry’s headquarters in Port Sudan.
The Sudanese Foreign Ministry stated in a press release that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation and addressing shared security challenges.
The two delegations agreed to bolster economic ties in agriculture, energy, pharmaceuticals, mining, and digital transformation. They placed a particular emphasis on fostering partnerships between the private sectors of both nations.
Discussions also focused on facilitating trade, with both sides examining methods to streamline financial transfers to boost commercial exchange. The officials also deliberated on improving mobility by working toward establishing direct flights between Sudan and India.
India remains a primary supplier of Sudan’s essential imports, particularly agricultural machinery and textiles.
The Foreign Ministry added that the consultations reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to develop them across various fields, as well as an exchange of views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The talks further addressed prospects for cooperation in the health sector, including support for the rehabilitation of health institutions and the expansion of pharmaceutical manufacturing. The sides also discussed cooperation in prosthetic limbs and telemedicine applications.
India has become a destination for thousands of Sudanese patients seeking treatment for complex diseases, especially as most specialized hospitals in Sudan have ceased operations and medical staff have emigrated due to the ongoing conflict.
The Sudanese side expressed appreciation for India’s supportive positions toward Sudan in recent times and praised the training programs and scholarships provided by New Delhi. Khartoum aims to expand these programs to align with its priorities during the reconstruction phase.