I have just concluded a very successful visit to the United Arab Emirates and Syria, two friendly countries with whom we have enjoyed civilisational ties over the millennia. My visit reinforced these traditional bonds of friendship.

In my discussions with a broad section of the political leadership in the UAE and Syria, I had a useful exchange of views on a wide range of issues of common interest. There is deep appreciation of India's role in global affairs and acknowledgement of its growing importance.

The visit enabled me to put across to the leadership and business communities in both countries the possibilities and opportunities of increasing our economic engagement. The business delegation accompanying me had fruitful discussions with their counterparts. There is strong interest to explore the many complementarities that exist between our economies.

An important and, indeed, a very satisfying aspect of this visit was my interaction with a cross-section of the Indian community. It made me proud when I was told by the leadership of these countries as to how they valued the contributions of our countrymen. Their role adds another element of vitality to our relationship.

In the UAE, my meeting with His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, was highly productive. We agreed that our bilateral multi-faceted relationship was progressing well, as also reflected by the fact that the UAE and India are each other's leading trading partners. We agreed on the need to further enhance our strategic partnership by focussing on areas such as education, science & technology, agriculture & food processing, energy security, desalination technology, regional security and many other potential areas for cooperation. Many of these would be addressed by the forthcoming meeting in Abu Dhabi of the Joint Commission headed by the two Foreign Ministers.

It was agreed that to discuss the specific issue of UAE investments in India's petroleum sector, power generation and infrastructure projects, His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs would be visiting India at an early date.

In Dubai, I met the Vice President and the Prime Minister of UAE, the Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also reaffirmed the commitment of the UAE leadership to strengthen ties with India.

During my visit to Sharjah, the first ever by an Indian President, I was received by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, the Ruler of Sharjah. He was present in the function where I inaugurated the India Trade and Exhibition Centre that will work to further facilitate Indian business activity in the UAE and the region.

There was strong endorsement of India's candidature for a permanent seat on an expanded UN Security Council by the UAE leadership at the highest levels. My discussions with them on enhanced security cooperation, particularly to address issues relating to counter-terrorism and maritime security, were productive. Both sides now look forward to the early signing of the Agreement on Security Cooperation during the visit of the UAE Interior Minister to India at the invitation of our Union Home Minister.

In my meetings with the UAE leadership I had the occasion to convey our appreciation for their positive attitude towards the more than 1.75 million strong Indian community that has made the UAE their home. Indians, as the largest expatriate community in the UAE, have on their part been active contributors to the growth and development of the UAE, a fact appreciated by the UAE leadership.

I had numerous occasions to see the vibrant life of the Indian community - whether it was the visit to the Abu Dhabi Indian School; my inauguration of the Indian Islamic Centre whose foundation stone had been laid, fortuitously by the first woman Prime Minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi; the function at the Indian Social & Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi; and the India Club in Dubai where I inaugurated the Indian Workers Resource Centre meant to provide assistance to the large number of Indians working in the UAE. My visit to the Dubai International Academic City showed the growing footprint of Indian academic institutions in the UAE.

The second part of my journey was to Syria, where the entire leadership deeply appreciated the first Presidential visit from India. In the words of President Assad - the first visit was "symbolic for every Syrian citizen and a momentous occasion in India-Syria bilateral ties".

I had a number of meetings with President Bashar Al-Assad. We reviewed our bilateral ties since our last meeting in June 2008 when President Assad visited New Delhi. He expressed satisfaction on India's engagement in sectors of Power, Hydrocarbons, phosphates and the IT sector. President Assad invited Indian companies in making Syria a pipeline hub, by linking Central Asia, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Iran. We also discussed cooperation in bio-technology, pharmaceutical and food technology.

We reviewed the level of trade which currently stands at US$ 540 million and agreed to work towards increasing it. India has offered a US$ 100 million Line of Credit to be used by Syria in sectors to be mutually agreed upon. This was welcomed with great appreciation by the Syrian President.

I also had a fruitful meeting with the Syrian Prime Minister, Mohammad Naji Al-Otri, who invited India for enhanced engagement in the power, IT, oil and phosphate fertilizer sectors. We also agreed to explore areas of cooperation in agriculture, animal husbandry, railways and metro projects.

It was agreed that there should be more high-level ministerial contacts to follow up on all issues discussed during my visit. These could be in addition to regular meetings of the India-Syria Joint Commission.

President Assad reiterated Syria's support for a permanent seat for India in an expanded UN Security Council.

The Syrian leadership appreciated India's principled and continuous support to the cause of Palestine and the Middle East. I reaffirmed India's unwavering support for the Palestinian struggle for a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders side by side and at peace with Israel.

I also reaffirmed India's support for the legitimate right of Syria on the Golan Heights and noted with appreciation the sober and peaceful approach Syria has adopted in addressing this issue.

Syria reiterated its condemnation of the Mumbai terrorist attacks of 26 November 2008. Stating that extremism and terrorism must be contained, Syria renewed its support to India in this effort and offered to help in combating terrorism.

Three agreements were signed on the sidelines of my visit - two pertaining to cooperation in the field of media and one in field of culture, which would further enhance our bilateral ties. In addition, an MOU was signed setting up the India-Syria Business Council, which would focus on strengthening of business and commercial relations.

I also exchanged views with the Speaker of Syrian People's Assembly, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Abrash on the functioning of our respective Parliaments. We emphasized the importance of interaction between Parliamentarians in strengthening the relationship. He informed that an India-Syria Friendship Group has been set up in the Syrian Parliament.

I visited AAMAL, an institution for the physically challenged, run by the First Lady of Syria, Mrs. Asma Al-Assad and was very impressed with its work. I made a contribution of Two Million Syrian Pounds equivalent to Rupees twenty lakhs, to the institution.

I had an opportunity to meet the Indian community, which although small, is active and vibrant. I interacted with sisters from Missionaries of Charity, Kolkata, and donated One Million Syrian Pounds equivalent to Rupees ten lakhs, to one of their Centres, taking care of the elderly, to enhance its facilities.

Earlier today, I also paid a visit to the International Centre for Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in Aleppo, another historic city in Syria. A number of Indian scientists are working in and are closely associated with ICARDA. Dryland farming is an area of great importance for global food security as well as for a second Green Revolution in India. As 40% of food production in our country is from dry land areas, the work being done in ICARDA would provide valuable inputs for improving our agriculture productivity and food production. ICARDA has agreed to my suggestion to take up, India specific research and development for which project assistance could be provided.

Overall, I am satisfied with my visit to the UAE and Syria, important countries in our extended neighbourhood. The momentum generated should take forward our bilateral relations with both these countries.

Like me, you too would have seen and experienced the affection and goodwill that exists for India in both the countries at all levels. I hope you enjoyed the trip and it was productive.

I thank all of you.