India has appointed a special envoy to help promote peace and protect India's interests in African nations. MEA additional secretary Amarendra Khatua is on a visit to both Juba and Khartoum as India's special envoy to make peace between Sudan and South Sudan in the first leg of his visit.

India has also upgraded its consulate in these two countries to fullfledged embassies. South Sudan has newly been carved out of Sudan after a long period of strife. Mr Khatua is also likely to visit other African nations as India gives shape to its plans to tap energy resources.

AIR correspondent reports that India began as a serious player in Africa only after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's extended visit to the continent last year.

During his visit, Dr Singh announced India's decision to offer 5 billion US Dollars for the next three years under lines of credit to help Africa achieve its development goals.