After Assad’s ouster, India calls for peaceful, inclusive political process in Syria

India calls for peaceful resolution in Syria after Assad's ouster, monitoring situation closely for regional impact and safety of nationals.

India called on Monday (December 9, 2024) for a peaceful and inclusive political process in Syria to find a resolution to the dramatic turn of events after President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia and rebel forces claimed control of capital Damascus.

The events took New Delhi by surprise, given that the Ministry of External Affairs had hosted Foreign Office Consultations with Syrian officials less than a fortnight ago.

As the MEA issued its first formal reaction to the end of the 50-year-long Assad family rule, which India has historically had close ties with, experts warned that New Delhi must watch for the spillover effects of the Syrian regime-change across West Asia.

Syria civil war highlights

“We are monitoring the situation in Syria in the light of on-going developments,” the MEA said in a statement, calling for all parties in the country to “work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria”.

“We advocate a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society,” the MEA added, given rising concerns that the new regime in Syria may target minorities, including the Alawites, Druz, Kurds, and Christians. On December 6, India had issued an advisory telling Indians to avoid travel to the country.

Mr. Assad’s ouster came as armed fighters belonging to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), originally set up in 2011 as the al-Qaeda and Islamic State-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra group, led by Saudi Arabia-born rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, captured Aleppo, Homs, and Hama, eventually overrunning the capital Damascus city on Saturday.