Ahead of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s visit between June 17 and 21, Syrian Expatriates Minister Bouthaina Shaaban on Monday said that Syria hoped that the growing engagement between India and Israel was not at the expense of the Arabs.When asked to comment on the growing Indo-Israel relations, Shaaban said, “We trust India will support justice. It will not stand by occupation; it will not stand by genocide. This is what is happening with the Arabs,” she said.Bouthaina said India would always support a struggle for freedom and therefore would stand by the Arabs.The Syrian President arrives here on a five-day visit on Tuesday during which the two sides will hold talks to strengthen bilateral ties, particularly in the spheres of trade and economy.India and Syria are likely to sign agreements on avoiding double taxation and prevent tax evasion on income.Al-Assad will meet President Pratibha Patil and hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Leader of Opposition L K Advani too will call on Al-Assad and his delegation comprising ministers. The Syrian President will visit the National Informatics Centre in Delhi and later travel to Bangalore to tour information technology and biotechnology establishments and the Indian Space Research Organisation.
