President Salva Kiir has promised to allocate land for a Hindu cremation ground and a temple in Juba after the visit of the India State Minister of External and Parliamentary Affairs Vellamvelly Muraleedharan in Juba.
In a press statement seen by The City Review, President Kiir expressed told Mr Muraleedharan that he had endorsed India’s cooperation in the health sector in a consideration of a long pending demand of the Indian community living in South Sudan.
The health sector, agriculture, and the development of infrastructure is a priority of the South Sudan government as one way of reconstruction development after the conflict, the statement noted.
Meanwhile, Vellamvelly has invited the Speaker of Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly Jemma Nunu Kumba and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mary Nawal Martin to the India August House to observe the proceeding in both parliaments in India.
He also extended the same invitation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mayiik Ayii Deng after discussing bilateral relations between the two countries.
Muraleedharan advised South Sudan to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) for its benefit.
During the discussion, he expressed the willingness of the Indian government to continue its support in capacity building through various training programs and humanitarian assistance.
More cooperation
They also discussed new avenues of cooperation in the fields of agriculture, livestock, education, healthcare and information technology.
The two countries agreed on the training of young South Sudanese diplomats to be imparted in India. The Indian side also showed concerns over the impediments affecting the growth of bilateral trade and Indian investment in South Sudan.
Muraleedharan said he has seen the commitment of the leadership of the Reconstituted Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGNoU) in the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement.
“To South Sudan leadership, I have to reaffirm the commitment to support the peace process through the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement. This will open new opportunities for our nation in South Sudan,” Muraleedharan said while addressing the Indian community in South Sudan at the Indian Embassy in Juba last week.
“We are hopeful the peace process will give sustainable peace and standing ground for everyone to embark on the development of this country,” he added.
The senior diplomat encouraged the Indian community to continue supporting the people of South Sudan despite some difficulties in establishing businesses over the last few years.
He also met the Indian community in South Sudan from different institutions and discussed with them the security and economic development in South Sudan.
On his part, Indian Ambassador to South Sudan Vishnu Kumar Sharma said the insecurity was among the challenges still facing the Indians who have committed to staying around and providing economic development.
Amb. Kumar said the cooperation between South Sudan and India would continue to support South Sudan in areas of peace and development projects.