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MINSK, 27 January (BelTA) – India’s presidency in BRICS, which the country assumed in January 2026, provides an important opportunity to promote cooperation and sustainable development, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Belarus Ashok Kumar said at an official event in Minsk to mark the 77th anniversary of India’s national holiday – Republic Day, BelTA has learned.
“India seeks to develop BRICS guided by the principles of ‘humanity first’ and ‘people-centeredness,’ and aims to direct the activities of this international organization toward addressing key global challenges. In particular, strengthening multilateralism, combating international terrorism, reforming the UN and other international institutions such as the WTO, IMF, and World Bank, in the context of a complex and uncertain global security situation,” the ambassador emphasized. “BRICS has become an important constructive platform for discussing global issues and has strengthened its position over the years. At present, it includes ten member states and ten partner countries, including Belarus, accounting for about 40% of global GDP in purchasing power parity and nearly half of the world’s population.”
The diplomat also highlighted the momentum in Belarus-India relations and regular interaction between the leadership of the two countries.
“In August 2025, on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Tianjin, a meeting took place between Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus. In October 2025, the 8th round of consultations between the foreign ministries of India and Belarus was held, during which we agreed to develop a comprehensive roadmap for all-round cooperation. The 12th session of the India-Belarus intergovernmental commission will be held in March 2026,” Ambassador Ashok Kumar said.
“Despite sanctions against Belarus, bilateral trade is growing. About 1,000 Indian students have chosen Belarus to study medical sciences. Culturally, there is steady growth in the number of [Belarusian] students learning yoga, traditional Indian dances, and the Hindi language,” he noted.
“India and Belarus continue to work on bilateral relations across many areas of mutual interest,” the ambassador concluded.
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