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India, Syria talks begin
Damascus, Nov 15: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today held substantive talks with Syrian President Bashar al Assad in the first summit-level contact between the two countries in 15 years focussing on developments in Iraq, Middle East situation as well as other international and bilateral issues of mutual interests.
Damascus, Nov 15: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today held substantive talks with Syrian President Bashar al Assad in the first summit-level contact between the two countries in 15 years focussing on developments in Iraq, Middle East situation as well as other international and bilateral issues of mutual interests.
Agreements in areas as diverse as literature,
biotechnology and economic ties expected to lift the two-way
trade turnover substantially from the current US dollar 130
million, will be signed between the two countries.
India offers a hand of friendship to Syria at a time when Damascus is facing isolation from the West and when the US House of Representatives and Senate have passed the Syrian Accountability Act paving the way for more sanctions against the country.
New Delhi may step in with technological aid in areas such as petroleum where the American oil majors may have to pull out because of possible sanctions.
Vajpayee in a wide-ranging interview published by the English daily 'Syrian Times' here today allayed Arab fears over India's military ties with Israel, saying that will not be allowed to dilute in any way India's relations with the Arab countries.
Referring to the Kashmir issue, Vajpayee also made it categorically clear that dialogue with Pakistan cannot go hand in hand with terrorism.
He said no meaningful talks with Islamabad were possible until it ended support to cross border terrorism in Kashmir.
Syria has shown considerable understanding in the Organisation of Islamic Conference and the UN Security Council of India's position on Kashmir as a bilateral issue to be solved on the basis of the Shimla Agreement.
Vajpayee earlier laid a wreathe at the monument of the unknown soldier in Damascus before beginning talks with Bashar at the presidential palace. Later in the evening he is to attend an Iftar banquet hosted by the Syrian leader in his honour and will jointly open a biotechnology centre at the Damascus university for which India has provided technical support and Rs 10 million for equipment.
India offers a hand of friendship to Syria at a time when Damascus is facing isolation from the West and when the US House of Representatives and Senate have passed the Syrian Accountability Act paving the way for more sanctions against the country.
New Delhi may step in with technological aid in areas such as petroleum where the American oil majors may have to pull out because of possible sanctions.
Vajpayee in a wide-ranging interview published by the English daily 'Syrian Times' here today allayed Arab fears over India's military ties with Israel, saying that will not be allowed to dilute in any way India's relations with the Arab countries.
Referring to the Kashmir issue, Vajpayee also made it categorically clear that dialogue with Pakistan cannot go hand in hand with terrorism.
He said no meaningful talks with Islamabad were possible until it ended support to cross border terrorism in Kashmir.
Syria has shown considerable understanding in the Organisation of Islamic Conference and the UN Security Council of India's position on Kashmir as a bilateral issue to be solved on the basis of the Shimla Agreement.
Vajpayee earlier laid a wreathe at the monument of the unknown soldier in Damascus before beginning talks with Bashar at the presidential palace. Later in the evening he is to attend an Iftar banquet hosted by the Syrian leader in his honour and will jointly open a biotechnology centre at the Damascus university for which India has provided technical support and Rs 10 million for equipment.
Bureau Report