India's ambassador in Damascus: Our support to the Arab cause undiminished
Syria-India, Politics, 11/15/2003

India's prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee arrived in Damascus yesterday in a three day visit to the country with the objective of strengthening multifaceted Syrian- Indian bilateral relations. Highlighting this very important event Arabicnews.com had the following interview with the Indian ambassador in Damascus Arif Khan.

Q. Syrian-Indian relations are historical and deeply rooted, what will this visit (of Indian Prime Minister to Damascus) add concerning these relations.

Ans. While India's relations with Syria are historical, our common cultural affinity and civilizational heritage provide a strong foundation for further strengthening our cooperation in modern times. We value our friendship with Syria not only because of our traditional close relations but also because we firmly believe Syria is an important country in this region and can play an important role in ensuring regional peace and stability. The visit of the Prime Minister is expected to lay the foundation for making India an active partner in the economic progress of Syria to the benefit of the people of both countries. This is a landmark visit, which will open new doors of cooperation in economic, cultural, and technological fields.

Q. India enjoys a regional as well as remarkable international position, what can we expect from New Delhi concerning regional issue especially the question of Palestine.

Ans. India will always support the people of Palestine in their aspirations. Our position has not changed for the last 50 years. In fact, it is Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of our Nation who first raised the subject of Palestine Statehood. We feel that violence breeds violence and we should like it to end. We firmly believe that all issues be settled through negotiations. India is committed to resolutions 242, 338 and 497 of the UN Security Council and we have at every forum supported withdrawal from the occupied territories and a just peace.

Q. India has a booming economy.. what can Syria expect concerning the volume of economic cooperation with India and are there indicators for further acceleration of the current cooperation relations between Syria and India especially in the IT field.

Ans. The focus of the visit is going to be making India an active partner in the economic reforms of Syria. We are signing nine agreements with Syria in fields as diverse as agriculture to culture, science and technology to biotechnology and for the first time a new line of credit is being offered by us to promote trade -- a reflection of our desire to raise cooperation to new levels. New areas have also been identified such as biotechnology and our prime minister will be jointly inaugurating the Syrian Biotechnology Centre set up with Indian collaboration with H.E. President Bashar Al-Assad. We are also going to cooperate in development of small and medium industries in Syria. A feasibility study is going to be conducted on the viability of setting up of a joint venture fertiliser manufacturing plant. IT (information technology) is another area where we would be cooperating including setting up of an IT training center. We are also signing an agreement in the agriculture sector. A separate agreement is also being signed under which India would offer full technical support- including experts, conducting of technical studies etc. for setting up of joint projects.

Q. We have recently witnessed a qualitative progress in the Indian-American relations. There is a saying that India will be America's main alley in Asia. What are the reflections of such relations on relations with Syria and on causes of the region as well, specially in light of the American position towards these issues?

Ans. India is the largest democracy in the world and the United States the most powerful, and we share many common values. Our relations have always been based on mutual respect and independence. India shares very warm and cordial relations with Syria that we cherish and value. We firmly believe that relations between two countries do not have to affect the relationship with another country and that is true here also. We respect the opinions of Syria and that is the reason that our prime minister is here to promote our friendship and exchange views with your leadership on matters of our common concerns.

Q. On the ground of India's special relations with Washington, should we expect a change in the Indian policies at the Arab level?

Ans. We value our relationship with our Arab brethren and that our relations with any country will not necessarily affect our relations with another. Our support to the Arab Cause is not diluted. We support the return of all occupied territories including Golan Heights under UNSC resolution No. 242, 338, and 497, and the "Land for Peace Principle," which will bring just and comprehensive peace to the region.

Q. The purpose of the visit, what about its timing, does it have any political indication towards development in the region, specially the situation in Iraq?

Ans. The purpose of the visit has been already enumerated. The timing is significant in that the prime minister wanted to greet the HE the President, HE the Prime Minister and the people of Syria in this Holy month of Ramadan. The bilateral significance is that we embark on a new era of cooperation through several new agreements and initiatives.

Previous Stories:
  Indian prime minister arrives in Damascus today   (11/14/2003)
  Al-Shara, Miro, talks with Indian FM   (8/4/2003)
  Indian foreign minister arrives in Syria   (8/2/2003)

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

Search