In a warm gesture of bilateral goodwill, Sudan’s Foreign Minister Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership upon arriving in New Delhi for the pivotal second India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. His comments, shared in an IANS interview, also addressed the dire humanitarian situation back home.
Sudan’s civil war, raging since April 2023, has claimed countless lives and uprooted families across the nation, plunging the country into prolonged instability. The minister detailed ongoing measures to protect civilians, noting close coordination with the UN. High-ranking UN officials have directly interacted with affected communities, a step he described as vital. ‘Our government is performing well in this area,’ Ibrahim affirmed, stressing the priority of citizen safety.
Shifting focus to India, the Sudanese leader expressed admiration for PM Modi’s people-centric approach. ‘You should congratulate yourselves for such a leader who always seeks new avenues for his citizens,’ he remarked. ‘His repeated electoral victories are a testament to his effectiveness.’
Scheduled for Saturday, the IAFMM – jointly hosted by India and the UAE – will bring together foreign ministers from Arab League countries and the organization’s Secretary-General. It builds on Friday’s Senior Officials’ Meeting and revives a dialogue paused for a decade since the 2014 Bahrain summit.
That first meeting laid the groundwork by identifying energy, economy, education, media, and culture as core cooperation areas, complete with action plans. The partnership traces back to a 2002 MoU between India and the League of Arab States, establishing regular institutional exchanges. India’s External Affairs Ministry positions the IAFMM as the cornerstone of these enduring ties.
This renewed engagement comes at a crucial juncture, amid regional challenges and global shifts. Sudan’s positive remarks on Indian leadership highlight potential for emulating successful models in governance and development, fostering mutual growth and stability across the India-Arab world.
