- India has firmly opposed any military action against Syria while emphasizing that it would wait for the outcome of the UN inspection about the alleged use of chemical weapons in the Arab nation.
- The statement came on the eve of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to St Petersburg for the G-20 Summit of top industrial nations and emerging economies. The Syrian crisis is likely to be one of the main items on the agenda of G-20 leaders even as they chalk out a strategy to grapple with the global economic situation.
DELHI’S WORRY:
- India's uncertain economic situation makes it more vulnerable to external shocks
- US-led strikes against Syria would inevitably lead to an increase in oil prices and put severe burden on the country’s economy
- Any escalation of the situation in Syria would also have a spillover effect on millions of Indians working in the Gulf and sending precious foreign exchange to the country. West Asia is home to six million expat Indians
ALLIES OF SYRIA:
- Russia: Has leased port facilities in Tartus (2nd largest port city in Syria) for its naval fleet. Russia is believed to have sent Syria dozens of missiles. It supports Syria in the civil war.
- Iran: Syria sided with non-Arab Iran against Iraq and was isolated by Saudi Arabia and some of the Arab countries.
- Lebanon: Damascus plays an important role in Lebanon by virtue of its history, size, power, and economy
- China: Has significant trade ties with Damascus. In 2009, mutual trade between the two countries was worth nearly $2.2 billion
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