The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the people of the Syrian Arab Republic on the occasion of the National Day of Syria (i.e. April 17, 2013).
In a message to the President of Syrian Arab Republic, Dr. Bashar Al-Assad, the President has said, "On behalf of the Government and the people of India, it gives me great pleasure to extend warm greetings and felicitations to you and to the friendly people of the Syrian Arab Republic on the occasion of your National Day.
I avail of this occasion to reiterate India’s commitment to further strengthen and diversify our bilateral cooperation to the mutual benefit of our people.
India and the Syrian Arab Republic have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly relations. We are, therefore, concerned at the violence and loss of lives in Syria. We hope that all sides will cease violence at the earliest – and resolve all issues peacefully through discussions – in accordance with the Geneva Communiqué, taking into account the aspirations of the people of Syria”.
This release issued at 1700 hrs