Damascus, Nov 14: In a rare gesture, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be received by his Syrian counterpart Mohammed Naji al-Otari and at least ten Cabinet Ministers at the airport here when he arrives tonight to a red carpet welcome marking the first substantive bilateral contact after President Bashar al-Assad came to power three years ago.
That India and Syria have agreed for the three-day visit during holy month of Ramadan, a time for introspection and spirituality in the region, underlines the significance both countries attach to the trip, which is considered politically very significant especially in the context of developments in next door Iraq, Indian diplomats said.
A slew of agreements ranging from biotechnology to information technology are to be signed during the Prime Minister's visit who is accompanied by External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra and Secretary (Asia and North America) R M Abhyankar, they said.
Vajpayee's visit underscores India's affirmation of friendship with Syria coming as it does at a time when the country is facing increasing isloation from the west and when the US House of Representatives have passed a bill calling for sanctions against Damascus.
India has had strong ties with the Arab world though recently there have been apprehensions in the region over New Delhi's increasing military ties with Tel Aviv. The current visit will seek to allay such fears besides giving an opportunity for bilateral consultations on issues relating to Iraq.


Bureau Report