Syria hopes Indo-Israel relations not at expense of Arab world

New Delhi, June 17 (PTI) - Syria today hoped that India's
growing relations with Israel will not be at the expense of
its historic ties with the Arab world.

Ahead of the state visit of President Bashar al-Assad,
Syrian Expatriates Minister Bouthaina Shaaban said the Arab
world always looked up to India as a country that seeks peace
and dignity.

"India is an old and ancient civilisation and shares a
lot more with the Arab people," she told reporters here.

To a specific question on growing Indo-Israel ties,
Shaaban said, "I hope it is not at the expense of its historic
ties with the Arabs."

"We trust that India will stand in support of justice. It
cannot stand with occupation, it cannot stand with genocide.
That is what has happened to the Arab world," she said.

Bouthaina said the Arabs know that India will always
support struggle for freedom and Arabs are struggling for
freedom.

"We believe India will stand by the Arab people," she
said.

The Syrian President arrives here on a five-day State
visit Tuesday during which the two sides will hold talks to
further strengthen bilateral ties, particularly in the sphere
of trade and economy.

"We hope that the visit is going to give a very good
impetus to Syria-India relations," Bouthaina said.

India and Syria will sign agreement on avoidance of
double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion on taxes on income.

Al-Assad will meet President Pratibha Patil and hold
talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Al-Assad will be accompanied by Asma al-Assad and by a
large delegation that includes Foreign Minister Walid
al-Moualem, Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Husni Lutfi,
Minister of Telecommunication and Technology Emad Sabouni and
other senior officials.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, Congress President Sonia
Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Leader of
Opposition L. K. Advani will call on the visiting dignitary.

President Patil will host a State Banquet in honour of
al-Assad.

In Delhi, al-Assad will visit the National Informatics
Centre and later travel to Bangalore, to tour information
technology and biotechnology establishments as well as the
Indian Space Research Organisation.

Al-Assad is also scheduled to travel to Agra to visit the
Taj Mahal. PTI