India Closely Monitors Escalating Situation in Syria and Political Developments in South Korea

India is observing the situation in Syria as Islamist-led rebels continue to advance. On Thursday, the rebels nearly seized control of Homs after capturing much of Aleppo. This has led to tens of thousands fleeing Homs. "We have taken note of the recent escalation in fighting in the north of Syria. We are closely following the situation," stated Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Indian Nationals' Safety in Syria

There are approximately 90 Indian nationals currently residing in Syria, including 14 individuals employed by various UN organisations. The Indian mission is maintaining close contact with these nationals to ensure their safety and security, according to Jaiswal. He made these remarks during his weekly media briefing when asked about the developments in Syria.

Political Developments in South Korea

In South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol's attempt to impose martial law was swiftly blocked by Parliament, leading to impeachment proceedings against him. India is monitoring these political changes closely due to its significant partnership with South Korea. "South Korea and India have a very important partnership. We have a strong economic and political partnership," Jaiswal noted.

The relationship between India and South Korea extends beyond politics, encompassing strong investment, trade linkages, and defence cooperation. Additionally, there are substantial people-to-people connections between the two countries. Jaiswal emphasised India's interest in the stability of South Korea due to the large number of Indians living there.

India hopes for a swift stabilisation of the situation in South Korea, ensuring safety for its nationals residing there. The ongoing developments are being watched closely by Indian authorities as they maintain their diplomatic ties with both Syria and South Korea.