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UN must play an enhanced role in Iraq: India
Damascus, Aug 03: Declaring their common concern that Iraq`s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be established at all cost, India and Syria today asserted that the United Nations must play an `enhanced role` in that war-ravaged country.
Damascus, Aug 03: Declaring their common concern that Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be established at all cost, India and Syria today asserted that the United Nations must play an "enhanced role" in that war-ravaged country.
"Sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq have to be assured," External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told after his wide-ranging talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Prime Minister Mustafa Mero and deputy minister and foreign minister Farouk al Shara here.
Concluding his three-day visit to this key middle- eastern country, Sinha, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including secretary in the External Affairs Ministry R M Abhyankar, said Damascus appreciated India's decision not to send troops to Iraq till there was an explicit UN mandate.
"The UN should play an enhanced role in Iraq as there is no alternative to the world body," the leadership in Syria told Sinha agreeing with India's stand on the issue.
Establishing its footprint on the economic front, Sinha conveyed to President Al Assad and Prime Minister Mero that India was willing to set up a fertilizer plant in Syria and buy the produce that remained after meeting the needs of this country as also possible exports to the region.
The two sides have also decided to enhance cooperation in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry and information technology, Sinha said, adding that it was also decided to step up bilateral visits at the ministerial level.
President Al Bashar has accepted the invitation of President A P J Abdul Kalam to visit India early next year, the External Affairs Minister said.
Bureau Report
"Sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq have to be assured," External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told after his wide-ranging talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Prime Minister Mustafa Mero and deputy minister and foreign minister Farouk al Shara here.
Concluding his three-day visit to this key middle- eastern country, Sinha, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including secretary in the External Affairs Ministry R M Abhyankar, said Damascus appreciated India's decision not to send troops to Iraq till there was an explicit UN mandate.
"The UN should play an enhanced role in Iraq as there is no alternative to the world body," the leadership in Syria told Sinha agreeing with India's stand on the issue.
Establishing its footprint on the economic front, Sinha conveyed to President Al Assad and Prime Minister Mero that India was willing to set up a fertilizer plant in Syria and buy the produce that remained after meeting the needs of this country as also possible exports to the region.
The two sides have also decided to enhance cooperation in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry and information technology, Sinha said, adding that it was also decided to step up bilateral visits at the ministerial level.
President Al Bashar has accepted the invitation of President A P J Abdul Kalam to visit India early next year, the External Affairs Minister said.
Bureau Report