New Delhi: India reached out to Syria’s provisional government in late July by sending its first official delegation to Damascus to understand the interim government’s plans and priorities. Suresh Kumar, a joint secretary in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, met with senior officials, including Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, underscoring India’s interest in sustaining robust relations irrespective of Syria’s internal political transitions.

According to Deutsche Welle, India’s outreach to Syria’s interim government ensures that it is not sidelined in the reconstruction of the war-torn country. Muddassir Quamar, associate professor at the Centre for West Asian Studies at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University, stated that India’s approach reinforces its image as a nonaligned power willing to engage with diverse regimes to promote stability. Quamar highlighted that India’s regional allies, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have extended vital support to Syria during this transition, which can aid India in its engagements.

Quamar further emphasized Syria’s strategic importance, noting that it plays a significant role in relations between Turkey and Israel, impacting India’s regional interests. He highlighted that a stable Syria ensures secure trade routes and energy corridors critical to India’s economy, especially as it strengthens ties with Gulf states while navigating tensions involving Iran.

Syria has experienced several waves of sectarian violence since the new government took over in December. Shanthie Mariet D’Souza, executive director of Mantraya, an independent research forum, explained that India has multiple strategic interests in Syria, including safeguarding the interests of remaining Indians. This can be achieved by maintaining ties with the new regime, which is currently facing instability.

D’Souza noted that India’s engagement with the new regime is a step toward strengthening regional stability, empowering Syria to prevent becoming a haven for extremist groups. By establishing an early relationship with post-Assad Syria, India protects its interests and reduces the risk of a strategic vacuum that could be exploited by others.

Since the Assad regime’s fall, many countries have adjusted their policies to account for Syria’s new reality, guided by core interests of stability, influence, and regional security. D’Souza pointed out that India’s recent outreach to Syria’s interim leadership mirrors New Delhi’s pragmatic shift in Afghanistan, where it has increased engagement with the Taliban rulers.

Officials in India’s Ministry of External Affairs have emphasized that maintaining the embassy in Damascus throughout the Syrian civil war, albeit with reduced staff, demonstrated India’s long-term strategic thinking. Anil Trigunayat, a former Indian diplomat and head of the West Asia experts group at the Vivekananda International Foundation, noted that India’s ties with Syria are part of a bilateral relationship like any other it pursues. Trigunayat mentioned that while Iran’s influence in Syria is waning, Turkey’s hold is significant, with Syria’s interim leader also seeking engagement with other powers, including India.