Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: India on Monday underlined the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria, where President Basher al-Assad’s regime fell following a swift advance by the rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham into the capital of the West Asian nation.
“We are monitoring the situation in Syria in the light of ongoing developments. We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria,” Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said in New Delhi a day after it was confirmed that Basher al-Assad and his family had Damascus the country and taken refuge in Russia.
New Delhi continued its diplomatic relations with Damascus even after the civil war in Syria started in 2011 and reached its peak.
India maintained its principled position over the past 14 years, arguing for a non-military and Syrian-led process to end the civil war in Syria.
The MEA spokesperson reiterated New Delhi’s position on Monday.
“We advocate a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society,” said Jaiswal, adding: “Our embassy in Damascus is in contact with the Indian community, for their safety and security.”