India pledges 10m dollars for development in Sudan

Mar 30, 2006 (NEW DELHI) — India has pledged 10 million US dollars for various development projects in Sudan, including a ‘Peace Park’ on the banks of river Nile after Mahatma Gandhi.

India will also give USD 100 million worth line of credit to Sudan to be utilized for various developmental projects there.

Federal Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed made the announcements during his just-concluded visit to Khartoum where he had gone to attend the Summit of League of Arab Nations.

During the visit, Ahamed proposed to establish a Peace Park on the banks of river Nile in the name of Mahatma Gandhi and a cultural centre after Jawaharlal Nehru in Khartoum at a cost of half a million US dollars, which was accepted by the Sudanese side.

The balance of 10 million US dollars will be distributed for the developmental projects in both North and South Sudan.

On his return, Ahamed said the Arab League meeting demonstrated that India’s “deep rooted” relationship with the Arab world and spoke on its policy on West Asia.

“Giving India an opportunity to express solidarity with the Arab countries in the Summit is a reflection of the importance attached to India by them,” he said.

As an observer in the League of Arab nations, India was the only country given the chance to read out Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s message and to make statement on the first day of the Summit, the minister said.

(PTI/ST)