Sudan Calls for Adoption of Indian Currency for Bilateral Trade
NEW DELHI: India should be push for the use of its current in bilateral trade in Africa, Sudan's ambassador to India Hassan E El Talib said on Friday ahead of the India Africa Forum summit, where the Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir will be making an appearance.
Talib, a veteran diplomat, said that Africa was under "monetary colonisation" due to the use of dependence on US dollars. Sudan has, of course, been under US sanctions which has caused its foreign currency reserves to be a bit short.
He said that there was no reason that the Indian government should not push for the adoption of Indian rupee in trade.
The Sudanese president Omar Bashir will be arriving in Delhi on October 28 for his first visit to India. He had earlier transited through India twice - before he was indicted by the International Criminal Court.
MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup reiterated on Friday that India was not a member of Rome Statute and therefore, does not need to abide by its directions.
Talib said that Sudan was open to Indian investment in Agriculture, gold mining and petroleum.
" Over the years, Sudan has emerged as a major producer of gold. We want India to invest more in gold mining, apart from other areas such as agriculture and infrastructure, through which India-Sudan relations can reach new heights," he said.
According to Hassan, Sudan produces 70 tonnes of gold every year.
He said that Agriculture is one of the biggest sectors where India already is a brand.
With an area of two million square kilometres, he noted that Indian farmers could work in the farming sector not only to feed Sudan, but for the export market.
"By investing in Sudan, India can easily sustain its market. Also several technologies that India uses in agriculture are very much adaptable to the African nations," he added.
India is among Sudan's top trading partners for the last few years. India's 2014-15 exports to Sudan were to the tune of $882.47 million while the imports were $569.66 million.