Indian Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan will visit Syria from 12-13 July in a bid to re-establish engagement with the country following its re-entry into the Arab League.
In the first ministerial-level visit to the Middle Eastern nation since August 2016, the MoS will hold wide-ranging discussions with the Syrian leadership in Damascus.
The Visit
During his visit, the MoS will meet a group of Syrian students who have studied or are proceeding to study in India on scholarship. The MoS will also meet functionaries of the Syrian Orthodox Church during his visit.
“India and Syria have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly relations based on deep-rooted people-to-people ties,” a statement released by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said.
“India has maintained its Embassy in Syria throughout the conflict in Syria,” it added.
Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan (@VMBJP) will pay an official visit to #Syria tomorrow. This will be the first Ministerial-level visit from India to #Syria since August 2016.During the two day visit, Mr Muraleedharan is likely to meet the Syrian leadership… pic.twitter.com/AqBJsV3AFS
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) July 11, 2023
Furthermore, the statement mentioned that several students, businessmen and patients travel from Syria to India, which has contributed immensely to the capacity building of the Syrian youth over the years.
The visit is expected to lend further momentum to the strong relationship between the two countries.
India-Syria Ties, Operation Dost
India and Syria share perspectives on several international and regional issues, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, and are members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). India has supported the return of the Golan Heights to Syria.
New Delhi has maintained a principled stance on the Syrian conflict by pusing for resolution through a non-military and inclusive Syrian-led process, a position appreciated by Syria.
India has also engaged with Syria on several humanitarian fronts. Following the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria in February this year, New Delhi launched “Operation Dost” to provide relief and assistance to both countries. India came to Syria’s rescue by providing over 23 tonnes of emergency relief aid, including protective gear for rescue operations and medical supplies.
Muraleedharan’s visit follows Syrian Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad’s New Delhi visit last year, during which he held talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
#Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Vellamvelly Muraleedharan, affirms his country is looking forward to establishing strong relations with #Syria, in addition to strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.https://t.co/wjcVPP9p6J
— SANAEnglishOfficial (@SANAEnOfficial) July 11, 2023
Re-engagement with Syria
India’s decision to re-engage with the government of President Bashar al-Assad comes after Syria’s recent readmission into the Arab League after 12 years. Syria was expelled from the grouping after the government crackdown on a peaceful uprising, which triggered the decade-old conflict in the country.
India’s re-engagement with the Assad regime is part of the larger change in the Middle East, with countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman and Egypt reopening talks with the country. Consistent efforts by the UAE and the change in regional dynamics following the China-brokered Saudi-Iranian deal have also paved the way for renewed efforts to hold talks with Syria.
The last ministerial level visit was when former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar visited Syria in August 2016 and called on the Syrian President, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and other dignitaries.