Sushma Swaraj
Due to escalating tension in Syria, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's scheduled visit to the strife-torn country next week has been deferred, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday,.
Fresh dates for her visit will be decided in consultation with the Syrian government, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said today.
"The external affairs minister'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," he said.
Swaraj was scheduled to visit Syria and Lebanon on a three-day visit from September 11.
It would have been the first visit by an Indian external affairs minister to Syria after the civil war-like situation broke out in that country.
According to reports, Russian fighter planes have mounted fresh strikes on the Syrian province of Idlib, amid a meeting in Tehran among leaders of
Iran, Russia and Turkey to chalk out a common strategy to deal with the volatile situation in Southern Syria.
The Russian military has warned its US counterparts not to get involved in any military operation in southern Syria.
India has been maintaining that all parties should exercise restraint and avoid any steps that may further escalate the situation in country.
(With PTI inputs)
