India could "balance" the Geneva-2 conference on Syria

Author: Vestnik Kavkaza

In order to resolve the conflict in Syria it is necessary for the Russian position to receive support. An important role here can be played by other members of the BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa

According to the president of the Society of Friendship and Business Cooperation with Arab countries, Vyacheslav Matuzov, today in Syria, "the real threat of large-scale invasion of some external force is essentially eliminated." "And this is the foundation which today opens prospects for convening the Geneva Conference. If the international situation were different, i.e. if Russia really was, as it is now sometimes claimed in the Western media, the only country that supports the rule of law and rights, the Charter of the United Nations in relation to Syria, then the situation would have been more disastrous. Because a vote in the General Assembly of the United Nations on the Syrian issue has already shown obvious figures that about one hundred and thirty-odd countries out of the one hundred and ninety-odd, members of the United Nations are under the influence of the U.S.," Matuzov said.

The expert sees in this situation the increasing role of India, South Africa and the Third World countries, "which now have a powerful influence on the course of events in the hottest parts of the world, although they are not directly involved."

Vladimir Yevseyev, director of the Center for Public Policy Research, also believes that the trio of Russia, China and India could have a serious impact on world events. "From this point of view, India's participation in the Geneva-2 conference would be appropriate, because from this point of view, India would contribute a balanced position. Because right now, unfortunately, the conference is dominated by double standards," Yevseyev said.

He believes that the U.S. does not define the situation in Syria. "The USA, in fact, are only one of the players, a critical one, but only one of the players. Look at the position of France and the UK. Right now they emphasize the chemical weapons issue. Look at the position of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In general, the situation around Syria is somewhat different due to the recent success of the Syrian army on the border with Lebanon, in connection with certain internal problems of Turkey in connection with certain financial problems in Saudi Arabia. This creates some positive opportunities for negotiations at the Geneva-2." Vladimir Yevseyev said.

At the same time, the expert is pessimistic about this conference because he does not believe that those people who come from the opposition have a real impact on the situation there. "The most important player, which has the most significant impact on the Syrian issue - the Islamic Republic of Iran - is still not invited to the conference. I would like to recall that Iran recently allocated $4 billion to the government of Bashar al-Assad in order to solve the economic problems of the country. Iran is a real player that has a very serious impact on the situation in Syria. Not inviting Iran devalues the conferences, as well as inviting only a part of the opposition. For example, the internal opposition remains uninvited, and only those people who are loyal to the West are invited. From this point of view, I think the conference certainly is a step forward. At the same time, it would be unreasonable to expect some breakthrough from it. Because, unfortunately, there is at the moment absolutely no foundation for it due to the powerful difference of opinions on how to solve the Syrian problem," the director of the Center for Public Policy Research said.