New Delhi, June 18 (IANS) India and Syria have signed three economic agreements after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad here Wednesday. The three agreements are for avoidance of double taxation, bilateral investment and a work plan for cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors.

Syrian President al-Assad held talks with Manmohan Singh for over an hour at Hyderabad House. There were formal delegation-level discussions as well.

The Syrian Leader arrived here Monday evening on a five-day visit - the first Syrian head of state to visit India after a gap of 30 years.

After his ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace) Wednesday morning, President al-Assad said Syria had a lot of expectations from a “rising India” and he looked forward to increasing trade with the country.

“We have a lot of things to talk about. There are a lot of expectations from a rising India,” the Syrian leader told reporters after inspecting the guard of honour.

He noted that increase in trade between the two countries would be on his agenda and looked for more cooperation in specific areas like telecom.

The Syrian president will address a business luncheon meeting organised by India’s top three chambers of commerce and industry.