The official visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Belarus could become a trigger for the further development of cooperation. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated this today at a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Belarus, Sangita Bahadur, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
The official visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Belarus could become a trigger for the further development of cooperation. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated this today at a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Belarus, Sangita Bahadur, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
"It seems to me that over the course of our cooperation in the last two decades, we have not only understood but also studied the capabilities of India and Belarus. Perhaps the time has come when we should move to that stage of relations where concrete agreements and contracts need to be concluded and we should move forward in our cooperation. I believe that a certain push, some incentive is needed for us to start practically implementing our plans. I think that Narendra Modi's visit to Belarus would be a good incentive for the development of our relations. We know each other very well, one might even say we are friends to some extent, we support each other. It seems to me that he should have already visited Belarus. And his official visit, we will receive him with dignity, would become such a trigger in the relations between our countries in all directions," said the President.
Alexander Lukashenko thanked the diplomat for the work she has done during her short tenure as Ambassador of friendly India to Belarus. The Head of State noted that over the two decades of cooperation, the trade turnover between Belarus and India has increased tenfold. "A little over half a billion dollars. This is, of course, significant, but insufficient for our capabilities. We can do more. And you know this better than I do," the Head of State noted.
The President stated that he would very much like the next Ambassador of India to Belarus to also arrive with a similar desire to establish good and productive relations. "So that he promotes all the ideas that you have had in the relations between Belarus and India. And there are many initiatives, and much has been done," the Belarusian leader noted.
"I think the time has come when we need to combine our capabilities and desires and take several steps towards close cooperation," added Aleksandr Lukashenko.
In turn, Sangeeta Bahadur thanked Aleksandr Lukashenko for the opportunity of the meeting, which is a great honor. "I know well that not all ambassadors are granted an audience with you," she said.
The Head of State, in response, noted that very good relations have existed between the parties since Soviet times, and India is one of the largest countries in the world. "And not only that. You are our friends. How could I not receive you?" emphasized Aleksandr Lukashenko.
"I fully agree and share your position on all aspects of bilateral relations that you have mentioned. Indeed, we have achieved a lot during the three years of my tenure here. We have significantly increased trade, and Belarus has increased its presence in India," stated Sangeeta Bahadur.
She also noted a significant intensification of cooperation between the private sector of India and Belarus, and achievements in cooperation between BELAZ and the Indian company Coal India Limited. "I remember a time when Mr. Myasnikovich (Mikhail Myasnikovich has headed the Eurasian Economic Commission since February 1, 2020, and before that, during Sangeeta Bahadur's ambassadorship in Belarus, he was Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly. - BELTA's note) asked me why India does not purchase Belarusian equipment. And here I can immodestly say that I have really tried, and today we have the result," said the ambassador.
The diplomat added that Belarus is also widely represented in India in the oil products market, agriculture, and the IT sector.
BELTA