Syria's state-run SANA news agency has dedicated a new section of its website to President Bashar al-Assad's planned visit to India this coming week. The site's English language section has also featured coverage of the visit. So far, the articles featured in this section have included commentary discussing the overall agenda and goals of al-Assad's expected visit.
According to India's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, this primarily includes talks on bilateral relations to develop the relationship between the two countries on political, economic, and trade matters, as well as cooperation in the IT and energy sectors. India's ambassador to Syria is also cited as stating that his country hopes to sign agreements with Syria to “avoid double taxation (on international trade and investment perhaps), and to encourage investment, agricultural cooperation, housing and development”, and so forth.
While SANA states that the volume of trade between the two countries is expected to continue to rise significantly, the Indian ambassador also indicates that his country has sent specialists to Syria to aid development projects, including the building of a biotechnology center in the Arab state.
One would think that Syria would seek assistance/cooperation from India on the issue of nuclear energy as well… no?
It's interesting to note that SANA is framing the meeting between Syria and India's leaders as a coming together of two historic centers of civilization and culture that have long resisted colonial powers. India's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs goes on to speak of the common ‘role’ played by Syria and India as states that have held firm to policies of non-alignment on regional and international issues. He then goes on to proclaim that Syria's role in the Middle East is vital and integral to achieving piece in the region.
The minister also comments on the need for reforms within the United Nations and its Security Council, stating that India appreciates Syria's supportive position on this issue. He also voices India's desire to acquire a seat on the Security Council, an interesting choice of words given the precarious downturn in relations between Syria and the UN body in recent years over a number of issues stemming from the Lebanese dossier.
In addition to the potential economic advantages to be gained by deepening relations with India, SANA's coverage reveals how al-Assad's trip could be utilized by Syria to boost it's image as a regional and international player. In fact, this may indicate that Syria may become inclined to rely more and more on powers in the developing world, such as India and China, in order to counter the economic and political costs of any further deterioration in its relations with the US and the West.
