To further strengthen bilateral ties with India, Belarus Minister of Foreign Affairs, is arriving in New Delhi later this evening. The highlight of the visit from March 11-13 is the scheduled meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Sergei Aleinik on Tuesday when the bilateral discussions will take place.
According to the agenda announced by the Ministry of External Affairs, Minister Aleinik will depart on Wednesday, marking the conclusion of the important brief yet significant diplomatic mission to India.
Earlier this month, Jaishankar had met his counterpart on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit (NAM) Summit in Kampala on January 19, where the two leaders had talked about developments related to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. At that time Jaishankar had shared insights from the meeting with Aleinik on the social media platform X.
Jaishankar posted: “A useful meeting with Belarusian FM Sergei Aleinik. Exchanged views on India – Belarus cooperation in various fields. Also discussed developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict.”
India-Belarus Bilateral Relations
According to MEA, since 1991, when Belarus gained independence, India has been a steadfast supporter. Both countries align on various issues and collaborate in international forums, such as the United Nations. Belarus stands by India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Belarus acknowledges India’s growing global influence and aims to establish a “strategic relationship” with India.
High-level engagements between India and Belarus are frequent.
India and Belarus have forged a comprehensive partnership, facilitating discussions on bilateral, regional, and global matters through mechanisms like Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) and the India-Belarus Inter-governmental Commission (IGC) on Cooperation in Science & Technology.
Numerous agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) have been signed between the two nations covering various sectors such as trade, agriculture, culture, education, media, sports, science, technology, taxes, investments, and defence.
While the Indian community in Belarus is small, consisting of approximately 85 nationals and 476 students, mostly enrolled in Belarusian medical universities, according to the MEA.