Khurshid to visit Sudan,security to Indian interests on agenda

Protection to Indian interests, especially oil sector, in natural-resource rich Sudan will be high on agenda when External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will meet his counterpart Ali Ahmed Karti here on Wednesday.

 

Khurshid will also hold talks with other top Sudanese officials and meet members of the Indian community during the day-long visit.

 

India along with China are major investors in the Sudan-South Sudan oil sector.

 

Several Indian companies like ONGC-Videsh Ltd (OVL), BHEL, TCIL, Progressive Construction Ltd and Tata Motors are active in the violence hit North African country.

 

India is also the second largest exporter for Sudan.

 

During the year 2012-13, the bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $888.28 million with Indian exports of $754.94 million and this year it was likely to cross $1 billion mark.

 

India's exports to Sudan mainly consist of sugar, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, iron and steel, manufactured goods, textiles and apparel, foodstuff etc and has an active engagement in the field of energy with Sudan.

 

Khurshid, currently in Tunisia, is on a three-nation visit of North African countries - Morocco, Tunisia and Sudan - to boost ties.