India and Syria enjoy friendly political relations based on historic and civilizational ties, experience of imperialism and of being colonized, a secular, nationalist and developmental orientation, similar perceptions on many international and regional issues and membership of NAM, positive sentiments towards India at the popular level, and India’s traditional support for just Arab causes. Mahatma Gandhi, Tagore, Nehru and Indira Gandhi are remembered with great respect. The relationship at the political level has always been good. Details of exchange of visits at HOS/HOG/EAM/MOS(EA) levels are given below:
From India to Syria
|
|
Dignitary |
Date |
|
1. |
Prime Minister Pt. J.L. Nehru |
1957 & 1960 |
|
2. |
Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi |
1988 |
|
3. |
Prime Minister Shri A.B. Vajpayee |
November 2003 |
|
4. |
External Affairs Minister Shri A.B. Vajpayee |
1979 |
|
5. |
External Affairs Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee |
1995 |
|
6. |
External Affairs Minister Shri Jaswant Singh |
Jan/Feb 2001 |
|
7. |
External Affairs Minister Shri Yashwant Sinha |
August 2003 |
|
8. |
Minister of State for External Affairs |
1992 |
|
9. |
Minister of State for External Affairs Shri E. Ahamed |
September 2005 |
|
10. |
Minister of State for External Affairs Shri E. Ahamed |
March 2008 |
From Syria to India
|
|
Dignitary |
Date |
|
1. |
President Shukri Al Quwatli |
1957 |
|
2. |
President Hafez Al Assad |
1978 & 1983 |
|
3. |
President Dr. Bashar Al Assad |
June 2008 |
|
4. |
Vice President Mr. Zuhier Masharqa |
1991 |
|
5. |
Deputy PM Dr. Khalid Raad |
July 2000 |
|
6. |
Deputy PM & Foreign Minister Mr. Farouk Al-Shara |
August 2002 |
|
7. |
Deputy PM Dr. Abdullah Dardari |
January 2008 |
|
8. |
Foreign Minister Mr. Farouk Al-Shara |
1988 |
|
9. |
Foreign Minister Mr. Walid Al Mouallem |
August 2007 |
|
10. |
Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Farukh Taha |
April 2006 |
In relation to India, the Syrian relationship has preserved a secular understanding of India’s sensitivities in J&K, a neutral attitude in the OIC, respect for India’s size and independent foreign policy, and support for India’s aspirations, credentials and candidacy for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. President Bashar Al Assad and Deputy PM Dardari have an added respect for India as an economic power.
