India, Syria review bilateral ties during Foreign Office Consultations

New Delhi, November 30. India and Syria reviewed their entire gamut of bilateral relations during the sixth round of Foreign Office Consultations held in New Delhi on November 29.

The Indian delegation was led by Suresh Kumar, Joint Secretary (WANA) in the Ministry of External Affairs while the Syrian side was led by Ayman Raad, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Syria.

“The discussions reviewed the entire range of India-Syria bilateral relations, with a renewed commitment to energise the institutional mechanisms between the two countries,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. “Both sides also discussed avenues to deepen the bilateral relationship with a special focus on areas like pharmaceuticals, developmental partnership and capacity building. The two sides also exchanged perspectives on important regional and global issues of mutual interest.”

India, it may be mentioned, has been strengthening ties with the West Asian nation ever since its return to the Arab League last year. Syria’s location at the crossroads of West Asia makes it a critical player in regional geopolitics.

By engaging with Syria, India can bolster its presence in the Middle East and counterbalance the influence of rival powers like China and Pakistan, which are also expanding their foothold in the region.

While India already has strong ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and Iran, engaging Syria adds a new dimension to India’s West Asia policy.

According to the External Affairs Ministry statement, India and Syria enjoy warm and friendly relations based on historic and civilisational ties.

“India has been a keen developmental partner for Syria and is also actively involved in capacity building of the Syrian youth,” the statement reads. “Both the countries also cooperate on various multilateral forums. The discussions held today will contribute in further strengthening of India- Syria bilateral partnership.”