Juba, Dec 5 — India and South Sudan held their first-ever Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Juba on 4 December 2025, a move aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. The talks took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere and reviewed the full spectrum of relations between the two countries.
Discussions focused on capacity building and human resource development, health cooperation, technical and vocational training, trade promotion, and people-to-people links. Both sides expressed satisfaction with ongoing collaboration and pledged to maintain regular high-level engagement, institutional exchanges, and meetings of established mechanisms.
The Indian delegation was led by Dr. M. Suresh Kumar, Joint Secretary (WANA), Ministry of External Affairs. The South Sudanese team was headed by Ambassador Philip Jada Natana, Director General for Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Delegates also exchanged views on regional developments and affirmed their intention to coordinate more closely at the United Nations and other multilateral fora.
During the visit, Dr. Suresh Kumar held separate meetings with senior South Sudanese officials, including Vice President James Wani Igga; Minister of Foreign Affairs Monday Semaya Kenneth Kumba; Minister of Mining Martin Abucha; Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Onyoti Adigo Nyikec; and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal.
Both governments reiterated their commitment to deepen the partnership, noted progress since establishing diplomatic relations, and agreed to explore new areas of cooperation. They also confirmed that the next round of Foreign Office Consultations will be convened in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.
The Ministry of External Affairs posted on X: “First ever Foreign Office Consultation between India and South Sudan was held on 4 December 2025 in Juba, led by Dr M. Suresh Kumar, JS (WANA) and Ambassador Philip Jada Natana, DG, Bilateral Relations.”
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