Manmohan Singh congratulates people of South Sudan, extends all help

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today greeted the people of South Sudan on their proclamation of independence and extended all possible assistance from India.

In a letter to President General Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, he also applauded the new nation’s commitment to addressing all outstanding issues with North Sudan in an amicable and peaceful manner.

"India stands ready to share its development experience and extend whatever assistance possible to South Sudan. I am confident that our cooperation will grow from strength to strength in the coming days for the mutual benefit of our two peoples," Singh said in his letter.

Splitting away from Khartoum-ruled north after decades of civil war that claimed nearly two million lives, South Sudan was declared a sovereign nation by its President Mayardit at a ceremony today in Juba, attended by UN chief Ban Ki-moon and Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir.

The new nation has become 193rd country to be recognised by the UN and the 54th member state from Africa.