Statement by India under Agenda Item 2: EID on the Report of the High Commissioner on Sudan at the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council (26 February – 5 April 2024) delivered by Mr. K.S. Mohammed Hussain, First Secretary (Legal), Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, on 1 March 2024

Mr. President,

   We thank the High Commissioner for his report.

2.   India and Sudan have enjoyed longstanding friendly relations. Our cooperation with Sudan has been wide ranging and over the years we have emerged as a development partner of Sudan through an array of projects in capacity building and humanitarian assistance. The ongoing situation in Sudan, therefore, is deeply concerning to us.

3.   We continue to monitor the complex and evolving security situation in Sudan. The conflict has caused immense loss of civilian life, wide-scale destruction of property and has adversely affected the access to bare necessities such as food, water and healthcare. Last year, in coordination with various partners, India organized the safe evacuation of over 4000 persons that included not only Indian nationals, but also nationals of other countries, from Sudan. Needless to say, the humanitarian situation in Sudan is dire and needs urgent attention of the international community.

Mr. President,

4.   India has been consistently underscoring the importance of mutual trust, engagement, and reconciliation to resolve the conflict in Sudan. We reiterate our call for restraint, dialogue, transition towards a civilian-led government, and a return to peace and stability in Sudan. We call on the international community to lend support to the people of Sudan towards these objectives.

Thank you.