Al-Shara in New Delhi: Israeli occupation caused deterioration in the region
Syria-India, Politics, 8/14/2002

The Syrian deputy prime minister and foreign minister Farouk al-Shara on Tuesday in New Delhi held talks with the Indian deputy prime minister and the minister of the interior Lal Kreishna Adfani. The meeting was attended by the deputy foreign minister Suleiman Haddad, the Syrian ambassador to India Mohsin al-Khayyer, the director of the media department at the foreign ministry Butheina Shabaan and the director of Asia department at the Syrian foreign ministry.

During the meeting Adfani stressed India's "deep and continued commitment to support the Arab and Palestinian cause." He said that India has been linked to historical relations with Syria and the Arabs. He also stressed India's support for the international legitimacy resolutions which call for ending the Israeli occupation of the Arab territories and the return back of these lands to its legitimate owners.

Al-Shara explained to Adfani that the grave condition in the Middle East is in the first place as a result of occupation and the colonialism which is responsible for the crimes committed on the occupied territories. Al-Shara added that the first step to end this violence is to end occupation and colonialism.

The two sides discussed the situation in the Indian subcontinent, developments on the international arena and means of alleviating the state of tension in the Middle East and the world.

Adfani expressed to al-Shara that he understands Syria's position and its desire and relations between Syrian and India to be at their best. He appreciated Syria's efforts to defuse tension between the two neighborly states of India and Pakistan for the interests of the two countries and the interests of the countries of the third world.

In this regard, al-Shara stressed to Adfani that the developing countries cannot compete under the phase of globalization unless they reach an advanced degree of cooperation and coordination among themselves. Earlier in the day, a round of talks was held between al-Shara and the Indian foreign minister. Stress was laid on the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Syria and India in all political, economic, trade and scientific fields and their determination to continue coordination at the UN and the nonaligned movement organization.

Talks also dealt with international and regional conditions, especially the tense situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Indian minister stressed that India's foreign policy is unwavering and principled concerning the Palestinian question and stressed support for Syria's right to restore back the occupied Golan. He stressed that India's stand is principled and is not affected by regional and international changes.

As for the conditions in the Indian subcontinent, al-Shara expressed Syria's concern over the escalation of tension between the two countries, India and Pakistan. He urged the two sides to exert utmost efforts to avert the war and to settle their differences peacefully because war is not in the interests of any of the two people.

The Indian and the Syrian sides expressed their opposition to attacking Iraq, or foreign states or the interference in other states.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Shara receives a message from the Indian foreign minister   (4/10/2002)
  Al-Shara confers with new Indian ambassador   (8/8/2001)
  Al-Assad gets a message from Indian counterpart   (2/1/2001)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search