Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Syria postponed

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Syria next week has been postponed in view of the situation in the war-ravaged country.

“EAM’s visit to Syria has been deferred due to the prevailing situation in that country. Fresh dates will be decided in mutual consultation with the Syrian side,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in response to a question.

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Swaraj was to visit Syria on 14 September in what would have been the first trip by an Indian foreign minister to the embattled nation since the outbreak of war in 2011.

She was scheduled to co-chair a meeting of the India-Syria joint commission with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moualem. A high-level trade delegation was also expected to accompany Swaraj.

India has supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation.