India has reiterated its unequivocal support to Syria for a lasting and comprehensive peace to the West Asian problem based on UN resolutions. Addressing the media jointly with her Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad in Damascus today, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil also stressed strong support for Syria’s legitimate rights to the Golan Heights and said that it must be returned to Syria in full. Thanking India for the positions taken in support of Arab Rights, particularly the cause of Palestine and the cause of the Golan, Syrian President Assad said that India understands more than others the justice of the cause of the people under occupation. He expressed hope that Syria-India relations, together with International efforts will help to end the suffering of the Palestinian people, blocked by an apartheid wall. Both the countries condemned terrorism in all its forms. Syria also supported India’s stand on Iran. Welcoming election of India for the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member, Assad reiterated his country’s support to India for a permanent membership in the reformed UNSC. India and Syria have also decided to double its bi-lateral trade levels in the next two to three years which at the moment stands at just over 500 million US Dollars. Expressing confidence, Pratibha Patil l said that the India-Syria business council to be launched tomorrow will focus on strengthening economic and commercial links.India also offered 100 million US dollars Line of Credit to Syria. This, she said, will encourage Indian companies to involve themselves in developmental projects in Syria. Saying that this will be the third line of credit, the President observed that this will give Indian businessman good exposure to Syrian markets and in turn would also showcase to Syria the potential of Indian companies.President Patil said that the India-Syria IT Centre for Excellence will start functioning very soon. She also announced doubling the number of scholarships for Syria under the ITEC programme from 45 to 90. Calling upon Syria to make full use of this offer, she said that India look forward to closer cooperation with Syria in fields such as IT and training in highly specialized fields.AIR correspondent reports, one agreement on co-operation between Prasar Bharti and Syrian government owned General Organisation for radio and TV and another between PTI and Syrian news agency SANA, were signed. A Cultural Exchange Programme was also signed between the two countries Earlier in the day Pratibha Patil was given a ceremonial reception at the forecourts of Peoples Palace. She also laid a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier which signifies paying tribute to all the Syrian soldiers killed in various wars in its history. A banquet will also been given by the Syrian President in the honour of Indian President later tonight.