New Delhi: India batting for an inclusive Syrian-led process to establish peace in a post-Assad scenario on Monday said that the “unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Syria should be preserved. It may be noted that Syria’s erstwhile president Bashar-al-Assad was driven out from his country by a lightning armed Opposition advance that swept all of Syria and captured the Capital Damascus earlier on Sunday.
New Delhi on Monday said, “We are monitoring the situation in Syria in the light of on-going developments. We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. We advocate a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society.” It added, “Our Embassy in Damascus is in contact with the Indian community, for their safety and security.”
Sources had said earlier on Sunday that the Indian Embassy in Damascus remains operational and that all Indians there are safe. New Delhi had said last week that “there are about 90 Indian nationals in Syria, including 14 who are working in various UN organisations” and that “our Mission remains in close contact with our nationals for their safety and security.” India had also issued an advisory last week -- before the fall of the Assad government -- and had asked Indian citizens not to travel to Syria while asking those already there to leave by the earliest-possible commercial flight.
