New Delhi:
The toppling of Syria’s long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led rebels could have “serious” implications for India, top intelligence sources told, highlighting how the development could hit the country’s business and security interests.
“The Assad regime was favourable to India on the Kashmir issue after the abrogation of Article 370. Assad’s departure will impact Indian security as it can increase the instability in the region. It will benefit terrorist organisations like ISIS, which will have a ripple effect in India as the terror organisation has a presence here too,” they said.
The sources added that India has been providing humanitarian assistance to Syria, and an escalation of the crisis could lead to increased demands on India’s resources.
“India has significant trade and economic interests in Syria in the energy sector. ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) has a 60 per cent participating interest in Exploration Block-24 in Syria. Any disruption to these operations could impact India’s energy security and economic interests,” they said.
“Indian companies have been involved in various infrastructure development projects in Syria. They are working with the Tishreen Thermal Power Plant Extension project. The instability in Syria could put these projects at risk, impacting Indian business interests in the region.”
India and Syria have a significant energy relationship, with India being one of the largest buyers of Syrian oil. “India imports around 1,00,000-1,50,000 barrels of oil per day from Syria and oil import is around 2-3 billion dollars per year. India has provided technical assistance and investment for upgrading Syria’s refineries which is going to be impacted.”
It took just 11 days for Syrian rebels to force Bashar al-Assad to flee the country, a move which saw celebrations sweep Damascus, where celebratory gunfire erupted as five decades of brutal Baath party rule came crashing to a dramatic end with Assad’s flight from the capital on Sunday.
Assad’s government fell 11 days after the rebels began a surprise advance, more than 13 years after Assad’s crackdown on anti-government protests ignited Syria’s civil war — which had become largely dormant until the rebel push.
