Sudan thinks over Indian offer for military cooperation

CAIRO, Feb 26, 2004 (MENL/ST) — Sudan has been examining an offer from India for military platforms and training, the Middle East Newsline web site said today.

The Indian offer was relayed to Khartoum as part of an effort to improve defence cooperation between the two countries. Sudan has also been considering projects to develop its military.

Malaysia and Sudan has signed, February 17, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will pave the way for Kuala Lumpur and Khartoum to forge defence cooperation.

Sudanese Defense Minister Bakri Hassan Saleh has visited Indian military and defense installations to examine a range of products. One of the factories recently visited by Saleh was Bharat Earth Movers.

“We have an ambitious 20-year plan for the revival and development of Sudanese military,” Saleh said. “India has demonstrated its political will and determination in this process.”

“We want all equipment that is produced in India,” Sudanese minister said, adding that the Sudanese delegation had visited several defence establishments in the country including BEML.

Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam paid a three-day visit to Sudan October 20. The visit focused mainly on Indian investment in Sudan’s oil industry.

In March 2003 India ONGC Videsh Ltd, acquired a 25 per cent stake from Canada’s Talisman Energy. India receives three million tones of crude oil annually from Sudan’s oil fields.