Sudan News Agency

New Delhi, April 27 (SUNA)- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Ahmed Karti, Wednesday held talks with his Indian counterpart, S.M. Krishna, focusing on bilateral relations and latest developments in Sudan as well as the regional and International issues of common concernThe two sides affirmed the strength of the bilateral historical relations linking the friendly peoples of the two countries and stressed the necessity to push them further in political and economic aspectsThe Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed during the talks India's gratitude to the stances of Sudan in support to the candidature of India for a non-permanent membership in the Security Council early this year. In this connection, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Karti affirmed that the Sudanese stance was motivated by a real belief that India would support all the developing counties, through its outstanding record in supporting the peoples of the World in many forums such as the Non-Aliened Movement (NAM)The Minister invited his Indian counterpart to visit Sudan and to continue the bilateral talks on all issues of common concern. The Indian Minister welcomed the invitation and promised to respond soonest as possible. Meanwhile, Karti was received Wednesday afternoon by the Indian Vice President, Hamid Ansari, at his residence in New Delhi. The meeting touched on the historical relations linking the two countries, demonstrated in the considerable numbers of Sudanese students in India and thousands of graduates from Indian UniversitiesThe Minister of Foreign Affairs further briefed the Indian Vice President on the latest developments of situations in Sudan with respect to the referendum in South Sudan, recognition of its results and the current arrangements for post-referendum era, explaining that Sudan was looking forward for backing of India and the International community on writing off its external debtsAs for Darfur, the Minister of Foreign Affairs acquainted the Indian Vice President on the latest developments of situations in Darfur as well as the efforts of the government to realize peace in Darfur through Doha forum, tribal reconciliations and maintaining the social fabric of the people of DarfurKarti further conveyed an invitation from the Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha to his Indian counterpart, Hamid Ansari, inviting him to visit Sudan. The Indian Vice President promised to visit Sudan soon, requesting the Minister to convey his greetings to President Al-Bashir and Vice President, expressing his happiness over the Minister's visit. The Minister of Foreign Affairs further met the Ambassadors of the Arabic and African Groups in New Delhi, briefing them on the latest developments of situations in Sudan. He also met the Indian Businessmen and Representatives of Greater companies and briefed them on the investment opportunities offered by Sudan and urged Indian Investors to invest in Sudan. It is to be noted that the two-day visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to India, which began Tuesday, is considered crucial at the official and media levelsMF/MABack