India has recognised South Sudan. In a letter to the President of South Sudan, Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh said, on this historic occassion of the inauguration of South Sudan, the Government of India extends formal recognition to the new country, which has been carved out of Sudan. This letter was handed over by India's Ambassador to Sudan AK Pandey to the President of South Sudan yesterday. Secretray (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Sanjay Singh told media persons that India has become one of the first countries to formally recognise South Sudan. Earlier, President elect of South Sudan General Salva Kiir Mayardit signed the Constitution of the new State. He was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of South Sudan. The Vice President of India Mohd Hamid Ansari was among the host of International dignitaries who witnessed the unfolding of the birth of South Sudan as the new nation has become 193rd country in the world and the 54th Nation of Africa. AIR correspondent covering the Vice President's visit reports that the new nation was born after splitting away from Khartoum – ruled north and decades of civil war that claimed nearly two million lives. Leaders across the globe have been sending their congratulations to South Sudan on the day it became the world's newest nation. Statements recognising South Sudan's nationhood flowed from the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia and others as tens of thousands watched an independence and flag-raising ceremony in the capital, Juba.