Prime Minister Wael al-Halki met the head of the West Asia and North Africa department at the Indian External Affairs Ministry, Joint Secretary Sandeep Kumar, on Monday.
During the meeting, Premier Halki affirmed the government’s desire to expand economic and industrial cooperation with friendly countries like India, calling on Indian businessmen and companies to carry out investment, development, and services projects in Syria, and to take part in the upcoming reconstruction stage – citing significant cooperation prospects in the fields of food and consumer products, pharmaceuticals, and equipping factories, hospitals, and power stations.
The PM stressed the need for all countries to cooperate with Syria to combat terrorism, reigning in states that provide financial, military, and logistics support to terrorism.
Kumar asserted the Indian government’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Syria, helping alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, and providing the needs to confront terrorism.
The two representatives discussed means to boost cooperation and realize agreements, in addition to the prospect of signing new pacts and cooperating in the fields of electricity, pharmaceuticals, transport, agriculture, petroleum, gas, development and services projects.
Deputy Prime Minister Walid al-Muallem discussed with Kumar and the accompanying delegation bilateral relations and ways to boost productivity in all fields, with the minister briefing the Indian delegation on methodical terrorism targeting Syria.
Muallem stressed the need to unite regional and international efforts to preserve international peace and security and to respect the Security Council’s resolution on combating terrorism and drying up its sources.
Kumar said that India is opposed to internal interference in countries’ affairs, and that it believes that terrorism has become a concern for many states, which requires the rallying of international efforts to combat it.
He also affirmed India’s support for a political solution in Syria which would alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, leading to stability in Syria and the region.
