Abu Dhabi: India has consistently supported the return of the Golan Heights to Syria, which remains occupied by Israel since 1967, Indian President Pratibha Patil said during the departure of her state visit to the UAE and Syria.
Patil who reached Abu Dhabi late on Sunday for a five-day state visit, will be visiting Syria on the second segment of her tour from Thursday evening. It will be the first Presidential visit from India.
India and Syria are enjoying traditionally friendly ties and cooperating actively in the UN and NAM (Non-Aligned Movement). Significantly, Syria has expressed support for India’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
"President Bashar Al Assad visited India in June 2008 when I had the opportunity to have an extensive dialogue with him on bilateral, regional and international issues," Patil said in a departure statement issued onboard a special aircraft from New Delhi to Abu Dhabi .
"During my visit, I look forward to continuing discussions with President Assad, with a view to further strengthening our ties. I will also be exchanging views with the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Syrian Assembly," she said.
"On the economic and business aspects, apart from discussing these with the Syrian leadership, I will be addressing Indian and Syrian business persons and launching the India-Syria Business Council. We seek to increase the level of our bilateral trade which stands at a modest $ 540 million," Patil said.
As Syria intends to open its markets and embark on massive development, there should be plenty of opportunities for India to expand its economic links, she said.
"Syria is also important to us for our energy security. OVL (ONGC Videsh Limited, the Indian government owned international petroleum company) has investments there and is looking for more opportunities for oil exploration," the president said.
It was reported that the theme of Patil’s two-nation visit would be ‘energy security’ as India had significant supply links with the UAE and Syria.
Indian community in Syria
The Indian community in Syria, though small compared to our presence in the Gulf countries, is participating in diverse activities in Syria, Patil said.
"I will have an opportunity to meet and interact with them. I will be travelling to Aleppo - a historical city in Syria - to visit the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, where many Indian scientists are doing commendable work. I will also meet representatives of the Missionaries of Charity who are doing excellent work in Syria with older persons. I will be visiting AAMAL, a Syrian organisation for the disabled managed by Asma Al Assad, the First Lady of Syria," she said.
