Former Prime Minister of India - Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee

PM's speech at dinner banquet hosted by President Bashar Assad

~ Thank you for your warm words, and for the care, attention and hospitality, which my delegation and I have received here. We appreciate the special honour you have extended to us by accommodating our visit in this holy month of Ramazan.

It is a pleasure for me to visit this ancient land, after a gap of twenty four years. I see this as a continuation of our historical interaction, which has left its mark on the culture and traditions of both our countries. In the present day, India and Syria seek to achieve similar goals of modernization and national development.

Mr. President, During my visit, we have shared perceptions and experiences on our bilateral engagement and global issues. Our broad similarity of outlook gives us the opportunity of crafting a contemporary relationship for the present and future, drawing inspiration from our past.

Our discussions today, and the agreements we have signed, have shown that both our countries are ready to develop new areas of cooperation to exploit the potential created by the new economic environment.

We can now move decisively to create durable partnerships in specific areas of complementarities, like infrastructure, energy exploration, and services. The presence of Indian oil companies in Syria, and the establishment of concrete symbols of our partnership in biotechnology and information technology are pointers in the right direction. We can build on the many synergies between our two economics to promote investment flows.

With commitment to these objectives, we can build a new and expanded relationship, on the foundation of the existing mutual goodwill and exploiting objective economic opportunities.

Syria and India also have shared concerns on the volatile situation in this region. We welcome the persistent efforts to create a lasting solution to the age-old problems of the Middle East. We have consistently called for a comprehensive and lasting peace based on full implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 497 and the Land for Peace principle.

Mr. President, In times such as these, friends must meet and regularly consult with each other. I am happy that you have accepted my invitation to visit India in the near future. I look forward to continuing our fruitful dialogue on bilateral and global issues.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I request you to join me in a toast:

• to the health of President Assad;

• to the continues peace and prosperity of the Syrian people;

• to India-Syria friendship.