By Abhishek Jha
New Delhi, July 29 (UNI) In a significant diplomatic move, India had its first official engagement with Syria’s new regime, with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani hosting an Indian delegation led by Suresh Kumar, Joint Secretary of the West Asia and North Africa Department at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, in Damascus on Monday.
The meeting focused on deepening India-Syria relations and addressing mutual interests, signaling India’s intent to maintain strong ties with Syria’s transitional government, headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa who assumed power following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024.
The visit of the Indian delegation also marks the first official Indian visit since Al-Sharaa assumed power. The meeting addressed issues of mutual interest and ways to enhance relations between the two countries in a manner that serves the interests of both peoples, said a statement from the Syrian government.
The Indian diplomat also held a meeting with the Syrian Health Minister Musab Al-Ali. The two sides discussed issues of health cooperation, including pharmaceutical exports, medical training for Syrian doctors in India, and collaboration in nursing and pharma industries. Decades long war has ravaged the Syrian Healthcare system which is in urgent need of both funding and capacity building.
While India had maintained diplomatic relations with the erstwhile Assad regime, it had kept a neutral stance, avoiding alignment with any faction during Syria’s prolonged conflict.
The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led government’s fundamentalist leanings and Turkey’s influence is an uncomfortable situation for India about Syria’s future policies, particularly on Kashmir and minority rights. Al-Sharaa was emir of the HTS when the Al-Qaeda-linked group overran Damascus last year. He formally resigned from the position in January this year, after he was appointed as the transitional President of Syria.
India has consistently supported Syria’s claim to the Golan Heights and the Palestinian cause, earning goodwill.
Syria, under Assad, reciprocated by backing India on Kashmir, a stance India now hopes to maintain with the new regime.
The Indian delegation’s visit signals India’s cautious but proactive approach to engaging with Syria’s new leadership, focusing on diplomacy, health, and training cooperation to rebuild and strengthen bilateral relations.
Despite the political transition following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, the Indian Embassy in Damascus has remained operational, ensuring diplomatic presence and extending services for approximately 100 Indian nationals in Syria, including UN workers.
