New Delhi, June 15 (ANI): Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will arrive on a five-day visit to India beginning Tuesday. The two countries will sign agreement to avoid double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion on taxes on income.

Al-Assad will meet President Pratibha Patil and hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during which the two sides will discuss a whole range of bilateral issues with a focus on enhancing trade and economic ties.

The two sides will sign agreements for Avoidance of the Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and a Work Plan under Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors for 2008-09.

Al-Assad will be accompanied by Asma al-Assad and a large delegation that includes Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem, Minsiter of Economy and Trade Amer Husni Lutfi, Minister of Telecommunication and Technology Emad Sabouni and other senior officials.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Leader of Opposition L K Advani will call on the visiting dignitary.

President Patil will host a State Banquet in honour of Al-Assad.

In Delhi, Al-Assad will visit the National Informatics Centre and later travel to Bangalore, to tour information technology and biotechnology establishments as well as the Indian Space Research Organisation.

Al-Assad is also scheduled to travel to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal. (ANI)