Patil arrives in Damascus on four-day Syria visit

President Pratibha Patil on Friday left for Syria after a five-day visit to the oil-rich United Arab Emirates which saw further impetus to the ties between the two countries, which have become the largest trading partners.

President Pratibha Patil arrived in Damascus on Friday on a four-day visit to Syria, the first by an Indian head of state, during which she will discuss ways to promote bilateral ties and issues like the Middle East peace process.

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Patil flew in from Dubai after a five-day visit to the UAE and was warmly received by Syria's Senior Minister for Presidential Affairs Mansoor Azam.

The President will discuss regional and international issues, including the Middle East peace process, with her Syrian counterpart Bashar Al Assad, who had paid a state visit to India in June 2008.

India's engagement with Syria in hydrocarbon sector has been rewarding and state-owned OVL has investments in Al-Furat Petroleum Company which has struck oil in one block.