India evinces interest in Syria's phosphates, power sector

Sunil Gatade
Damascus, Nov 28 (PTI) Seeking to give a boost to its
economic ties with Syria, India has favoured exploring a long
term arrangement on phosphates and has expressed interest in
setting up power projects in this West Asian country.
Indian President Pratibha Patil suggested to Syrian Prime
Minister Naji Ali Atri that such a long term bilateral
arrangement is needed to be explored when he sought Indian
participation in phosphates and manufacturing of phosphate
based fertilisers especially phosphoric acid.
While Syria is rich in deposits of phosphates, India
has been in perennial short supply and has always imported
the salt which is very much essential to maintain the nutrient
balance of agricultural soil.
New Delhi has been pressing for long for such an
arrangement with Syria which it feels could be a 'win-win' for
both sides.
During his meeting with the President on Saturday, the
Syrian Prime Minister invited Indian companies to participate
more in the "expanding and promising" sectors of power and
hydrocarbons.
India's Minister of State for Power Bharatsingh Solanki
conveyed India's interest in the power sector in Syria and
said that Public Sector Undertakings (PSU)like National
Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Power Grid could be
potential participants.
The two sides also agreed that there should be more
high-level ministerial contacts to keep up the momentum of the
enhanced engagement, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs
Ministry Latha Reddy told reporters accompanying the briefing.
On Sunday, the President visited the Syrian Parliament
and met Speaker Mahmoud Al Abrash, who informed her that a
Syria- India friendship group has been set up in the Syrian
Parliament.
During the visit to AAMAL, an NGO which works in the
area of rehabilitation of the disabled children, Patil donated
Rs 20 Lakh for its activities.
The President was received at the institution by First
Lady of Syria Asma Al Assad, who is its chairperson. PTI