Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
New Delhi, SANA- Syria and India held the sixth round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi.
The Syrian delegation was headed by Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ambassador Ayman Raad, and the Indian delegation was headed by Joint Secretary at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Ambassador Suresh Kumar.
The two sides discussed the importance of strengthening relations, activating bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding, and opening new horizons for cooperation.
They also stressed the need for coordination between the two countries in international forums.
Ambassador Kumar expressed India’s firm stance in respecting the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria.
In the same context, Raad Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Pabitra Margherita and discussed with the development of relations between the two countries, and preparations for convening of the Syrian-Indian Joint Committee next year.
Raad presented a presentation on the latest developments in the region, the brutal Israeli aggression on Palestine and Lebanon, and the ongoing attacks on Syrian territory, which coincide with the attacks launched by terrorist groups led by Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists, which recently targeted safe towns and villages and points of the Syrian Arab Army in northern Syria.
Margherita added that India’s support to Syria will continue in all areas, especially in capacity building, culture, higher education, training programmes, humanitarian aid and infrastructure.
At the conclusion of the round of political consultations, Raad met with Indian Undersecretary of the Ministry of External Affairs Arun Kumar Chatterjee, and agreed to take practical measures to hold the joint committee, including forming working groups on trade, health and economic cooperation, in preparation for the success of its work.
Shaza Qreima
