MINSK, 26 January (BelTA) - India is ready to move beyond traditional bilateral trade with Belarus and explore new avenues of cooperation, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to the Republic of Belarus Ashok Kumar said in an interview with BelTA on the occasion of the national holiday - Republic Day, which the country celebrates on 26 January.
The diplomat emphasized that India and Belarus have an institutionalized mechanism of Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Trade, Industrial, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation. It is chaired by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry on the Indian side.
The 11th meeting of the Commission was held in New Delhi in November 2022. The 12th session of Inter-Governmental Commission is proposed to be held soon in March 2026. Prospects for current Belarusian-Indian contacts will also be discussed at this meeting.
“While bilateral trade is growing steadily, it still remains below potential. Payment and logistics issues related to trade, especially export of potash from Belarus, have had an adverse impact on bilateral trade in view of sanctions. Therefore, it is time to branch out beyond the conventional strengths and explore new products and areas of cooperation,” the Ambassador noted.
He also informed that the diplomatic mission has been actively engaged in bringing the businessmen on both sides together through webinar and to disseminate the information about the opportunities. “We are anticipating two big delegations in the next two months of this financial year (2025-26). The visit of these delegations will contribution in strengthening business to business ties, including trade between India and Belarus,” the Indian diplomat noted.
“On science and technology, we look forward to holding the 10th meeting of Joint Working Group on Science & Technology in 2026. Belarusian Academy of Sciences is collaborating with the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and other S&T institutions and are working out the details of an agreement to formalize the relationship,” the ambassador said.
The diplomat emphasized that India and Belarus have an institutionalized mechanism of Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Trade, Industrial, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation. It is chaired by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry on the Indian side.
The 11th meeting of the Commission was held in New Delhi in November 2022. The 12th session of Inter-Governmental Commission is proposed to be held soon in March 2026. Prospects for current Belarusian-Indian contacts will also be discussed at this meeting.
“While bilateral trade is growing steadily, it still remains below potential. Payment and logistics issues related to trade, especially export of potash from Belarus, have had an adverse impact on bilateral trade in view of sanctions. Therefore, it is time to branch out beyond the conventional strengths and explore new products and areas of cooperation,” the Ambassador noted.
He also informed that the diplomatic mission has been actively engaged in bringing the businessmen on both sides together through webinar and to disseminate the information about the opportunities. “We are anticipating two big delegations in the next two months of this financial year (2025-26). The visit of these delegations will contribution in strengthening business to business ties, including trade between India and Belarus,” the Indian diplomat noted.
“On science and technology, we look forward to holding the 10th meeting of Joint Working Group on Science & Technology in 2026. Belarusian Academy of Sciences is collaborating with the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and other S&T institutions and are working out the details of an agreement to formalize the relationship,” the ambassador said.
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