This article covers India's cultural links with Syria, scholarships and education exchanges, and the Indian community in Syria, together with the contact details of the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in New Delhi. The cultural, education and community material comes from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of July 2026. Contact details and the head of mission are taken from the MEA Protocol Division register, read on 24 September 2026.

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, India features as an influence in Syrian culture historically through the Silk Route, and in particular through the adaptation of the Panchatantra into the Arabic 'Kalila wa Dimna'. The brief names Tagore and the Syrian poet Omar Abu Risheh, Syria's Ambassador to India (1954-59), as more recent influences.

Literary exchanges between the Arab Writers Union of Syria and the Sahitya Akademi take place under an MoU signed in 2003. They have led to translations of works by Syrian and Indian writers into Arabic and Indian languages, and to a regular exchange of delegations between the two bodies.

Cultural agreements and events

The Cultural Exchange Programme, in effect since 1975, provides the framework for cultural cooperation, and a number of cultural delegations have travelled in each direction under it. A Cultural Exchange Programme and an MoU for cooperation in the field of media were signed during the State visit of President Smt. Pratibha Patil to Syria in November 2010.

The brief states that Syrian people are fond of Indian culture and that Bollywood movies are very popular among them. Events it records include:

  • an Indian cultural week in Damascus and Latakia in April 2017, with screenings of Bollywood films in both cities and performances by a 6-member Odissi dance troupe sponsored by ICCR
  • four performances by a Rajasthani folk troupe in different cities in January 2018
  • a visit by the 15 member group "Bhola Panchhi", sponsored by ICCR, from 30 January to February 03, 2022

Yoga and Kabaddi

The brief states that yoga is very popular in Syria and describes Syria as a leader in the Arab world for yoga. Yoga has been officially included as a sport under the Sports Federation of Syria, and the International Day of Yoga is celebrated there. Kabaddi is also practised by many in Syria.

Visitors and crafts

Under the Distinguished Visitors' Programme (DVP) of ICCR, Dr. Mohsen Bilal, then Head of the Higher Education Bureau, visited India in November 2019. Before that, in 2017, the Grand Mufti of Syria visited India.

Since 2016, Syria has been a regular participant in the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, held annually in Faridabad. In 2019, the Syrian artist Iskandar Istrefan Alhalaby won the Kala Ratna award for Mosaic craft.

Scholarships and education

Under the "Study in India" programme, a total of 1500 seats have been offered to Syrian students for UG, PG and Ph.D. programmes in four phases since 2017-18, with an emphasis on technical and managerial capacity building. The Government of India also offers 25 ICCR scholarships for bachelors, masters and doctorate programmes at universities in India. Some seats are offered to Syrian nationals for courses in Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy under the AYUSH Scholarship Scheme of ICCR.

On 05-06 February 2025, two Syrian university heads took part in the 1st India-Arab Universities' Presidents' Conference in New Delhi: Prof. Ahed Khezam, President of Al-Wataniya Private University, Hama, and Prof. Nasser Thallaj, President of Al-Rachid Private University for Science & Technology, Rural Damascus.

The Indian community in Syria

The brief states that the Indian community in Syria has shrunk significantly because of the prolonged civil war. As of July 2026, there were approx. 60 Indian nationals in Syria, mostly blue-collar workers, with some working in UN agencies and NGOs.

Embassy of Syria in New Delhi

  • Address: D 5/8, Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi-110057
  • Telephone: +91-11-2614 0233, 2614 8298
  • Email: embsyriadel@rediffmail.com

The register lists no website for the Embassy. According to the register, the head of mission is H.E. Dr. Bassam Seifeddin Alkhatib, Ambassador. It lists no consulates or honorary consulates of Syria in India, so the Embassy in New Delhi is the office for all matters concerning Syria.

The national day of Syria is 17 April (Independence Day).

Visas and help for Indian nationals

The brief contains no information on visas, consular procedures or flights between India and Syria. Travellers, students and business visitors should check current requirements with the Embassy of Syria in New Delhi.

Indian nationals in Syria who need help from their own government should contact the Embassy of India in Damascus. The brief gives its website as www.eoidamascus.gov.in and notes that it also has accounts on X (Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.

Honorary consuls

Syria has no honorary consuls listed in India. Where honorary consuls exist, their powers are limited and they do not offer the full range of services of an embassy, so requirements should always be confirmed with the Embassy of Syria in New Delhi.