SYRIA: President Bashar al-Assad and his Indian counterpart Pratibha Devisingh Patil discuss trade nuclear and UN

Record ID: 278655

  • Title: SYRIA: President Bashar al-Assad and his Indian counterpart Pratibha Devisingh Patil discuss trade nuclear and UN
  • Date: 28th November 2010
  • Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (NOVEMBER 27, 2010) (REUTERS) SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD AND INDIAN PRESIDENT PRATIBHA DOVISINGH PATIL AT THE WELCOMING CEREMONY GUARD OF HONOUR VARIOUS OF ASSAD AND PATIL REVIEWING THE GUARD OF HONOUR MEETING BETWEEN SYRIAN AND INDIAN DELEGATIONS MEDIA ASSAD AND PATIL ARRIVING AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE HALL MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BASHAR AL-
  • Embargoed: 13th December 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Syrian Arab Republic
  • Country: Syria
  • Reuters ID: LVAGFXOYEJ6QA6QY5QAZ8RB82QH
  • Story Text: Indian President Pratibha Dovisingh Patil, on an official visit to Syria met with President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Saturday (November 27).
    The two leaders held extensive round of talks focusing on trade relations between the two countries. Patil and Assad agreed that the trade volume was still modest considering pthe potential of both countries and pledged to work towards developing economic ties.
    The presidents discussed the regional issues and exchanged views on Iran's nuclear programme.
    "Iran and just as any other state has right to own nuclear energy for peaceful purposes but there must be a guarantee and a programme of getting rid of all kinds of massive destruction weapons from the Middle East, " Assad said.
    Nuclear-armed India and its neighbour Pakistan exchange lists of their civilian nuclear facilities annually as part of a pact prohibiting attacks on such installations. The two south Asian rival powers have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947 and remain estranged on issues of security, militancy in Afghanistan and Kashmir.
    Assad said India had an important role to play as a newly elected nonpermanent member of the 15-nation U.N. Security Council.
    "We agree with India on the necessity of reform of the United Nations in order for it to become more democratic, representative and competent and we welcome the election of India to the Security Council for the year 2011-2012 and we look forward to working together in the Security Council," Assad said.
    Patil arrived to Syria on a four-day state visit on Friday (November 26) India and Syria have ancient historical linkages dating back several millennia with archaeological findings pointing to 4000-year-old trade links between the two countries. The Gulf region is home to over five million-strong Indian diaspora
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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