Damascus, November 27: President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil has arrived Damascus yesterday on a four-day visit to Syria. She was received by Syria’s senior minister for presidential affairs Mansoor Azam. President will stay here from November 26 to 29. She is the first head of the Indian state to visit Syria. Pratibha Patil had started her 9 day long tour of west Asia on Sunday.
Talking to media persons in the flight who were traveling along with her she claimed traditional friendly relations between India and Syria. She said that Syria had supported India’s permanent membership in the United Nation’s Security Council.
During her visit to Syria the President will meet her counterpart Basher al-Assad, who had paid a visit to India in 2008. Patil would also hold talks with Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri tomorrow, and also with speaker of the Syrian parliament Mahmood Alberts. Patil would have discussions with the Syrian leadership on bilateral issues. Both sides would also explore investment opportunities in each other’s country.
On the regional and international front, the Middle East peace process and Syria’s relations with its neighbours are expected to be important segments of the President’s discussions.
She will also inaugurate Indian Business Council.
Zaheer Uddin Ali Khan