NEW DELHI: Syria yesterday sought India’s help in resolving contentious issues in the Middle East when Syrian President Bashar Assad met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, officials and news reports said.
“Acknowledging India’s good relations with the Arab world and its support to the Palestinian and other Arab causes, President Bashar sought India’s role in the Middle East,” a senior Indian official who was part of the talks told the IANS news agency. Singh spoke about how crucial the Middle East and the neighboring region was to India with over five million Indians living there. The region is also the country’s main energy source and supply route.
The leaders also discussed the direct peace talks between Syria and Israel that have been facilitated by Turkey as well as regional matters like the Iraq conflict.
A statement issued by the Indian Foreign Ministry said the situation in the Middle East figured prominently in the discussions.
“The need for progress in the various talks of the peace process, early implementation of relevant UN resolutions and the need for greater involvement of all significant regional and international participants were discussed,” the statement issued by the Indian side said.
“In this regard, noting recent developments, the two sides agreed to stay in close consultation on the next steps in the peace process,” it added.
In a recent interview, Bashar indicated that Syria was keen on India assuming a more pro-active and direct role in peace negotiations in the Middle East.
Bashar told the Hindu newspaper that India, which had good relations with Israel and other Arab countries, could play a more direct role between Syria and Israel and the Palestinians and Israel.
India could also pull its weight by holding dialogue with administrations like those in the United States, Europe and Asian nations on how the Middle East could be made more stable, he said.
Referring to bilateral relations, Bashar said, “We have a lot of things to talk about. There are a lot of expectations from a rising India... We expect cooperation on many different issues, fighting terrorism and increasing trade relations between Syria and India,” Bashar told reporters after inspecting the guard of honor at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Bilateral issues discussed
Bashar, who was accompanied by his wife, four ministers and a business delegation, arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday evening. This is his first visit to India and the first for a Syrian head in 30 years since Hafez Assad’s visit in 1978.
After the ceremonial welcome, Bashar went to Rajghat, where he laid a wreath at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Ahead of talks with the Indian premier, Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee met Bashar at his hotel. This was followed by a meeting between Bashar and Singh as well as delegation talks at Hyderabad House.
“The talks covered the entire gamut of bilateral and international relations with focus on trade and energy issues,” a spokesman for the Indian Foreign Office said. The talks were followed by the signing of accords on the protection of investments, avoidance of double taxation, prevention of tax evasion and improving cooperation in agriculture.
At a luncheon meeting with the Indian business community, Bashar stressed that the problem of food prices could only be tackled through global cooperation. “Globalization has shown us that no nation can afford to confront these without dialogue, cooperation and global partnership,” he said.
Stressing Syria’s willingness to seek help from India in the field of infrastructure development, Bashar said, “I invite you to explore opportunities for joint ventures and other collaboration in major areas, including infrastructure development, energy production, mineral processing, information technology, education and training opportunities.”
He also drew attention to the growth of the Syrian economy to 6.6 percent in 2007 from one percent in 2000. “Syria will continue to build on these successes in the coming years with further reform and strong partnerships,” he said.
Among senior leaders who called on Bashar were Vice President Hamid Ansari, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and leader of the opposition L.K. Advani.
Bashar will leave for Bangalore today, where he is scheduled to visit biotechnology establishments as well as the Indian Space Research Organization. His five-day India tour includes a visit to Taj Mahal in Agra. He is scheduled to leave for Damascus on Saturday morning.
— With input from agencies
