Syria hopes Indo-Israel ties not at expense of Arabs

NEW DELHI: Syria on Monday hoped that India's growing relations with Israel will not be at the expense of its historic ties with the Arab world.

Ahead of the state visit of President Bashar al-Assad, Syrian Expatriates Minister Bouthaina Shaaban said the Arab world always looked up to India as a country that seeks peace and dignity.

"India is an old and ancient civilisation and shares a lot more with the Arab people," she told reporters here.

To a specific question on growing Indo-Israel ties, Shaaban said, "I hope it is not at the expense of its historic ties with the Arabs."

"We trust that India will stand in support of justice. It cannot stand with occupation, it cannot stand with genocide. That is what has happened to the Arab world," she said.

Bouthaina said the Arabs know that India will always support struggle for freedom and Arabs are struggling for freedom. "We believe India will stand by the Arab people," she said.