Opinion | Editorials
Bashar's visit will boost India ties
The Syrian president wants New Delhi to play a role in the Mideast peace process.
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:08 June 20, 2008
Syrian President Bashar Al Assad's visit to India is a representation of the good relations shared between the Arab world and the Indian sub-continent. It certainly gives a boost to relations between the two states. Bashar had indicated that his country was adamant for India to assume a more pro-active role in this region's peace negotiations with Israel. Given that India has good relations with Israel and other Arab countries, this could prove very beneficial for the advancement of the peace process.
But perhaps more importantly, the trip is aimed at increasing trade relations between the two states. Energy talks were similarly held and discussions on the food crisis were made.
With peace negotiations between Syria and Israel just ending in Turkey, it seems things are finally starting to look up for Bashar whose visit to India is the first for a Syrian president in 30 years, since his father visited in 1978.
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