SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT THE INDIAN COMMUNITY RECEPTION

Damascus , Syria, 28th November, 2010

I am delighted to visit Syria, the cradle of civilization, and its capital Damascus, which Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru described as a city where every stone tells a story of past history. I am happy to be amidst you this evening. I bring to you greetings and good wishes from India.

India and Syria share many things in common. Both countries are endowed with a rich heritage; we are pluralistic societies with secular credentials; we inherit a vibrant culture. Our time-tested links are civilizational, clocking almost four thousand years treaded via the Silk Route. We take pride in our traditional linkages. Moreover, India and Syria underwent similar experiences in the first half of the 20th Century, and through the sacrifice of their citizens, achieved independence from colonial rule around the same time. Since independence we have had close, friendly and cordial relations with Syria. That Syria highly regards our contribution to freedom movements all over the world is borne out in their decision, to name an important street here after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, and one of the foremost freedom fighters of India, who supported such movements in Asia and Africa.

Since our arrival in Damascus, my delegation and I have been overwhelmed by Syrian warmth and friendliness. All of us fondly recall President Assad's visit to India in June 2008. We attach strong importance to our friendly relations with Syria. I had very cordial and fruitful talks with President Bashar al-Assad. To further enhance our traditional relations, a number of agreements were signed yesterday. I also had useful discussions with Prime Minister Mr. Mohammad Naji Otri and Speaker Mr. Mahmoud al-Abrash.

India and Syria have weathered the global economic crisis. India is expecting to achieve a growth rate of 8.5 percent this year. I was glad to learn that the Syrian economy also has been doing quite well. In the two years between President Assad's visit to India and my visit here, we have made a conscious effort to enhance our economic cooperation. To cite a few cases, BHEL is carrying out a project in the power sector. Apollo International is helping in the modernization of a steel rolling mill; an MOU has been concluded in October 2010 for cooperation in the phosphates sector; an IT Centre for Excellence is being set up in Damascus and will be functional very soon; and ONGC Videsh Limited has investments in the oil sector. Some Indian companies have forged joint ventures and long term contracts with their Syrian counterparts. I am happy to learn that Indian experts were involved in setting up of Syria's first cement plant some decades ago. The India-Syria Business Council launched today should prove to be useful in forging many more business ties. With both countries focusing on development, the future augurs well, and I am convinced that our relations will surely and steadily scale greater heights in the coming years, and that Indian companies will continue to contribute to the growth of the Syrian economy.

I am glad to learn that Indians are participating in many spheres and activities in Syria. Indian scientists in the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, have made valuable contributions to research. I will be visiting this facility tomorrow in Aleppo. Also Sisters from Missionaries of Charity from Kolkata are running 4 centres in Syria to take care of elderly persons. This evening I was happy to make a contribution to one of the Centres to enable it to enhance its facilities. I was very happy to meet them a few moments ago.

Fellow citizens, wherever my travels have taken me, I have always found Indian nationals commanding respect and assimilating with ease the milieu of the land and culture they live in. Syrian people are warm, friendly and hospitable. This should make it easy for you to adjust to the new environs, and contribute in whatever way you can to enrich Syrian society, and enhance friendly relations between India and Syria.

I convey to you my greetings and wish you all success in your future endeavours.

Thank you.

Jai Hind!