New Delhi [India]: Anil Nautiyal, currently serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of South Sudan, according to an official MEA press release.
“Shri Anil Nautiyal (YOA: 2004), presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of South Sudan. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly,” the statement read.
Replacing Vishnu Kumar Sharma
Nautiyal will succeed Vishnu Kumar Sharma as India’s envoy to South Sudan, strengthening India’s diplomatic relations with the African nation.
India-South Sudan Relations: A Strong Partnership
India and South Sudan have maintained cordial and friendly relations since South Sudan’s independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011. India was one of the first nations to recognize South Sudan as an independent country, with then Vice President Hamid Ansari attending its Independence Day celebrations in Juba.
- The Indian Consulate in Juba was established in October 2007 and upgraded to an Embassy in March 2012.
- South Sudan reciprocated by opening its Embassy in New Delhi in August 2012.
South Sudan: A Brief History
- Anglo-Egyptian Rule (1899-1955): South Sudan was part of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan under joint British-Egyptian rule.
- Civil Wars & Autonomy (1962-2005): South Sudan faced two civil wars before gaining autonomy under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in Nairobi.
- Independence (2011): After a referendum in January 2011, South Sudan became independent on July 9, 2011.
Challenges & Governance in South Sudan
South Sudan faced civil war in December 2013, leading to the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict (R-ARCSS) on September 12, 2018, in Addis Ababa.
A transitional government of national unity is currently in place, with a mandate to implement the R-ARCSS and hold elections for a democratic transfer of power by February 2025 (extended from February 2023).
India’s Diplomatic Priorities in South Sudan
With Anil Nautiyal taking charge as India’s Ambassador, key areas of focus include:
✅ Strengthening bilateral trade and investment
✅ Enhancing humanitarian and developmental aid
✅ Supporting South Sudan’s peace and stability efforts
✅ Expanding education and healthcare collaborations