India has a role to play in combating terrorism: Syrian prez Assad

As a growing power, India has a role to play in meeting the challenge of terrorism, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said.

As a growing power, India has a role to play in meeting the challenge of terrorism, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said as the two countries agreed to upgrade their security consultations.

This videograb from Syrian state television shows Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivering a speech in Damascus. (AFP File Photo)

Assad made the assertion during a meeting with minister of state for external affairs MJ Akbar when the latter called on him on Sunday during his Syria visit.

“There was an agreement between both sides for further upgrading security consultations,” the sources said. However, the sources did not mention the level to which they have been upgraded to.

During the meeting, Assad also welcomed India’s objective position on the conflict in Syria and both leaders acknowledged that terrorism was a global problem, sources said.

“As a growing power, India has a role to play in meeting the challenge of terrorism,” sources quoted Assad as saying.

On his part, Akbar, during their meeting, said the age of destruction should give way to the age of reconstruction in Syria.

Both leaders agreed that as secular nations, India and Syria believe in faith equality.

Akbar is currently on a nearly week-long visit to West Asia from August 17.