From Peacekeeping to Partnership: India’s Evolving Role in South Sudan

India’s engagement with South Sudan began before its independence with signing of Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that supported by India in 2005. India remained committed in extending the support to South Sudan through investments in the region’s hydrocarbon sector since 2003 giving economic support to the new nation. India’s support to South Sudan remained primarily in the areas of security, bilateral trade and capacity building. However, it is pertinent that the strategic cooperation between India and South Sudan should be derived by the objectives of the India’s foreign policy towards Africa and South Sudan’s development priorities considering the regional challenges like South Sudan’s civil war from 2013 to 2018 and ongoing tribal skirmishes till today. After the civil war ended South Sudan adopted Revised – National Development Strategy (R-NDS) 2021 – 2024 with focus on stabilizing economy and sustainable development. To ascertain the level of cooperation achieved between the two nations an analyses of cooperation achieved from 2005 till 2024 has been drawn. Also, India’s interest, South Sudan’s development priorities and regional challenges have been ascertained for identifying the emerging opportunities to secure India’s interest in the region and realigning the strategic cooperation framework.

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