New Delhi, Feb 15: The Indian Government gifted 2000 metric tons of rice to Syria to strengthen food security in the Middle Eastern country. The rice would be handed over in two parts. The first consignment of 1000 metric tons was delivered on Feb11th ,2021 by the Indian Ambassador to Syria, Hifzur Rahman to Hussain Makhlouf, Head of Supreme Relief Committee & Minister of Local Administration. The remaining consignment is expected to reach Damascus by Feb 18 . The supply was made in response to the request from the Syrian Government for emergency humanitarian assistance.
History of India’s bilateral relations with Syria:
- India gifted 10 metric tons of medicine to Syria to combat Covid-19 in July 2020.
- The Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with Bhagwaan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti organized an artificial limb fitness camp which benefitted about 500 Syrians in Jan 2020.
- 1000 scholarships were given to Syrian students for pursuing different programs in the Indian University under the ‘Study-in-India’ initiative for the academic year 2018-19 & 2019-20.