India again rushes special envoy to Sudan, South Sudan

New Delhi, May 15: Concerned over escalation of conflict over oil and other territorial matters between

and South Sudan, an Indian special envoy is visiting the two countries to seek assurance over the safety of the country's interests there.

This is the second visit by Amarendra Khatua, an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, in as many months, reflecting India's unease over the situation in that region. Khatua's previous visit was on March 26.

Apart from meeting with a senior official in Sudan's Petroleum Ministry in Khartoum, Khatua also met with Haile Menkerios, the UN's special envoy to the two Sudans, according to officials here. His visit also comes following a UN Security Council resolution that seeks to end border fighting between Sudan and the South.

India is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council which passed the resolution on May 2 aimed at resolving a series of protracted disputes over oil and other matters to avert "a serious threat" to international peace.

The special envoy also conveyed India's willingness to help in resolving the disputes, they said. After his stay in Khartoum, Khatua will travel to Juba, capital of South Sudan, tomorrow followed by Addis Ababa during his week-long visit.

India's state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) holds a 25 percent stake in Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company Ltd which operates the Heglig oil fields.

PTI