New Delhi; 5 April: A Parliamentary Delegation from South Sudan led by Hon. Ms. Jemma Nunu Kumba, Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly of South Sudan called on Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla in Parliament House Complex, today.
At the outset, Shri Birla congratulated Hon. Ms. Jemma Nunu Kumba, on being elected as the first woman Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly of South Sudan. Speaking on India’s relationship with the African continent, Shri Birla observed that India and Africa have had strong trade and economic ties for centuries and the long-standing trade and cultural ties and people-to-people contact have strengthened the partnership between the two countries.
Mentioning about the history of both India and Africa in the fight against colonialism, Shri Birla noted that the experiment of Mahatma Gandhi on truth and non-violence in Africa has inspired the freedom struggle of several countries. Our common history has inspired us to work collectively for global prosperity, added Shri Birla.
Shri Birla suggested that South Sudan can take advantage of India’s experience in conducting elections successfully given the reliability and smooth operation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in our electoral process. Also, training related to the voting system in India could be provided to officials of the Election Commission of South Sudan, including voter awareness and education, added Shri Birla.
Mentioning about role of India in peace keeping missions in Africa, Shri Birla noted that India has sent its peacekeeping force to South Sudan under the initiative of the United Nations. In addition to these peacekeeping initiatives, Indian soldiers are playing an important role in capacity building by providing humanitarian assistance, doing social service and in developing mutual understanding and people-to-people contact between the two countries, said Shri Birla.
Highlighting that India and Africa are partners in the journey of nation building & economic transformation, Shri Birla said that this partnership has been strengthened over the period of time. Stressing that India is fully committed to uphold parliamentary democracy in South Sudan, Shri Birla said that India will help in development of democratic institutions in South Sudan. India supports the political system of South Sudan and hope that all stakeholders in the current Transitional Unity Government will take the necessary steps to implement the agreement to transfer power to an elected government, noted Shri Birla. Shri Birla offered the assistance of PRIDE in Lok Sabha Secretariat for capacity building of Members and Officials of South Sudan legislature. Shri Birla also thanked the Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly for the support of South Sudan to India at UN and other international fora.
Speaking about India’s G 20 presidency, Shri Birla said that India’s G20 priorities are not only shared by its G20 partner countries alone but India intends to seek the support of friendly countries in Africa, including South Sudan. Parliament of India will organize the P20 conference of the Speakers of Parliament of G20 countries this year and India being the world’s largest democracy will try to effectively solve global issues on this platform.
