“Belarus is a country with an ancient history and rich traditions, picturesque nature and stunning architecture, industrial giants and a developed agricultural sector, unique cuisine, and hospitable people.”
How would you characterize the current state of relations between Belarus and India, and what areas of cooperation seem most promising?
Diplomatic relations between our countries have lasted for over three decades, and, most gratifyingly, these relations have always been characterized as friendly and mutually beneficial. Speaking about prospects for cooperation, India, with its extremely capacious and, importantly, solvent market, has always been and remains one of the most important and promising trading partners for our country. Given the export-oriented economy of the Republic of Belarus, in which mechanical engineering, agriculture, and petrochemicals play an important role, such cooperation could be interesting and beneficial for both sides.
However, unfortunately, the Indian market remains under discovered for Belarusian manufacturers, while leading global companies and transnational corporations are establishing assembly and localized production facilities and joint ventures there.
In this regard, our countries are currently working to transition from supplying India with fully assembled, complex products – trucks, tractors, buses, and other items – to establishing joint ventures as part of the Indian government’s policy of massproducing import-substituting industries. In this regard, efforts have been intensified to establish joint assembly and localized production facilities to establish cooperation within the “Make in India” industrialization program and the “Smart Cities” urban development program.
And our country truly has much to offer. Promising areas of industrial cooperation for the Indian market could include projects in the joint production of agricultural machinery.
Furthermore, the Indian government has set an ambitious goal of fully converting urban public transport to clean electric traction by 2030 as part of the “Make in India” and “Smart Cities” state programs. The Republic of Belarus could also make a significant contribution to transforming public transport in the country and reducing its environmental burden.
Close collaboration is also underway with Indian partners to establish critical import supplies through India, particularly components for complex technical products and essential spare parts for Western manufacturing equipment used in Belarus.
Investment opportunities from Indian businesses, particularly India’s robust pharmaceutical sector, remain significant for the Belarusian economy. Three major investment projects involving Indian capital and pharmaceutical technologies have already been implemented in Belarus. Assistance is being provided for the implementation of new major projects involving Indian expertise and investment.
Over the past decade, instruments for deepening bilateral cooperation between our countries, established in previous years through various intergovernmental and interdepartmental commissions and councils, have gained renewed vigour.
For example, at the end of October 2025, another round of inter-MFA consultations on political issues was held. We anticipate meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation in Economics, Trade, Industry, Science, Technology, and Culture between our countries and the Joint Belarusian-Indian Commission on Cooperation in Science and Technology in the near future.
Another “marker” of the quality of bilateral relations between our countries is mutual support in international forums. For example, in 2024, India supported Belarus in officially becoming a full member of the SCO and a BRICS partner country. Belarus, in turn, has always been a reliable ally of India, supporting its initiatives within international organizations, including the UN. This fact underscores the closeness of the two countries’ positions on key issues on the global agenda.
Thus, the current dynamics and quality of relations between our countries demonstrate a high mutual interest in further developing cooperation not only bilaterally but also in various international forums. And, in our opinion, it is entirely possible for this interaction to reach the level of a strategic partnership in the near future.
Defense cooperation is an important part of bilateral relations. Could you please describe the latest developments in the defense sector between Belarus and India?
Military-technical cooperation between our countries also has a long history. It is based on the Memorandum between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Republic of India on Military-Technical Cooperation, which was signed in May 1993.
For more than three decades, successful cooperation has been established on military training at educational institutions in both countries. Programs organized by the Indian military department are particularly popular among Belarusian military personnel.
While military education is an important, but not the only vector of military cooperation with India.
For example, in the spring of 2025, a meeting of the defense ministers of our countries took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where the Ministers / Heads of Ministries discussed the most pressing issues of bilateral cooperation in security and military-technical cooperation.
In February 2025, a high-level delegation visited the 15th International Aerospace Exhibition “AeroIndia-2025” in Hyderabad, where they had the opportunity to see cuttingedge developments in the Indian military-industrial complex.
I would also like to note the participation of Indian military personnel in the joint Belarusian-Russian military exercises “Zapad-2025,” which took place in Belarus and Russia in September 2025.
The Joint Belarusian-Indian Commission on Military- Technical Cooperation is in operation, discussing current issues of military-political and military-technical cooperation between the two countries and exploring promising areas of cooperation.
All this speaks to the high level of mutual trust and cooperation between the military departments of our countries.
It is well known that the Republic of Belarus has preserved and expanded its industrial potential since Soviet times, which gives it the necessary expertise in the repair and restoration of Russian and Soviet military equipment.
The military industry’s recent advances, particularly important in today’s challenging conditions, are also noteworthy. Successful developments include lightly armored vehicles, armored transport vehicles, and super-heavy-duty tractors with trailers for transporting large-sized equipment.
Radar systems developed in Belarus have been adopted and supplied to our Armed Forces, as well as to foreign customers.
Electronic warfare (EW) systems are renowned worldwide. Jamming systems for various purposes are supplied to both the Armed Forces and foreign customers. EW stations with unmanned aerial vehicles, manufactured in various designs, are traditionally in demand today.
Given the new realities and challenges, Belarusian manufacturers have established and are constantly improving their UAV technologies.
It’s important to know that drones are important not only for enhancing a country’s defense capability, but can also be used for peaceful purposes – conducting rescue operations, monitoring environmental conditions, monitoring agricultural land, and much more.
I believe that in the areas mentioned above, we have good opportunities for establishing a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership.
Belarus has a strong industrial base. What investment opportunities would you highlight for Indian companies considering Belarus?
You are absolutely right. After the collapse of the USSR, Belarus inherited one of the most developed industrial bases among the Union countries. Moreover, over the years since then, our country has managed not only to preserve this existing potential but also to significantly increase it.
Furthermore, one of our country’s main strengths has always been a skilled and relatively inexpensive workforce. Our specialists are highly educated and productive, allowing our country to produce high-quality products that are in demand by consumers.
Another important factor for any investor is Belarus’s favorable logistical location. We are located at the crossroads of the East-West and North-South transport corridors, which is an important factor for companies interested in supplying their products to Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Belarus is also a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which provides duty-free access to the markets of Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan, with a combined population of 200 million.
Given the current global geopolitical situation, political and macroeconomic stability in Belarus is a significant attractive factor for modern investors. This allows for long-term planning of business operations.
The Belarusian government is deliberately creating sites with established infrastructure, including industrial sites and technology parks.
A prime example of such a project is the Great Stone Technopark – a high-tech international business platform located 25 km from Minsk with modern industrial architecture, convenient logistics, and environmentally friendly solutions. Great Stone offers companies unique opportunities with access to readymade production, engineering, transport, customs, and social and administrative infrastructure, significant tax incentives, and a special business support system. Everything is designed for rapid and successful development.
The pharmaceutical manufacturing sector appears to be the most promising for attracting Indian investment. Given the Indian pharmaceutical industry’s high adaptability to global market conditions, the progressive development of scientific research in the development and production of new drugs, and the creation of joint cooperation projects utilizing the production capacities of Belarusian pharmaceutical manufacturers with the participation of Indian technology, equipment, and financial resources, this will undoubtedly contribute to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation and the establishment of sustainable business communications in the area of investment between our countries.
Direct flights often play a key role in developing ties between people and business exchanges. Is there any discussion about improving air service between India and Belarus?
Currently, Belavia operates a direct flight between Minsk and Delhi once a week. However, if demand increases, the frequency of flights could be increased. The Belarusian air carrier is currently considering launching flights from Minsk to other Indian cities.
Belarus actively participates in multilateral forums. How do you envision cooperation between Belarus and India on global platforms?
In recent years, cooperation between Belarus and India has reached a fundamentally new level. Our countries’ positions on many issues on the global agenda are similar or closely aligned. Work at various international forums, including the UN, BRICS, and the SCO, is characterized by constructiveness and mutual support.
Belarus’s accession to full SCO membership and BRICS partner status in 2024 opens significant prospects for our country to deepen bilateral cooperation with member countries of these organizations, including India.
The SCO and BRICS offer various cooperation formats between member countries, providing additional opportunities in international trade and investment, as well as access to resources, technology, and joint projects within the organizations.
In addition to economic and political aspects, participation in these organizations creates new opportunities for social and cultural exchanges. Under their auspices, student exchange programs, research projects, and scientific initiatives are actively developing. Partner countries, like full member states, gain access to these programs, which will contribute to the advanced training of young people, the development of scientific potential, and integration into the global scientific community. Cultural ties with countries such as India will open new horizons for Belarus in the area of joint projects in the arts and popular culture.
As you know, India will assume the BRICS Presidency on January 1, 2026. Belarus is very optimistic about the coming year within the organization under the wise leadership of the esteemed Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. As President Alexander Lukashenko stated, “Belarus is joining BRICS with concrete ideas and projects designed to help address universal human challenges.”
We are convinced that Belarus’s geographical location in the center of Europe, its experience, and its achievements will expand the scope of the association’s capabilities, making it more universal and comprehensive. Belarus’s accession to full SCO membership and BRICS partner status marks another important step in our country’s foreign economic policy, opening new horizons for economic development and strengthening existing comprehensive ties with India.
Could you please elaborate on the visa exemptions for Indian tourists and businessmen, as well as the new measures planned to simplify travel?
Currently, Indian citizens must obtain a Belarusian visa to enter the Republic of Belarus. All the necessary information can be found on our official Embassy website. You can also submit your documents at either the Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai.
Regarding simplified entry procedures to Belarus, starting in 2025, Indian citizens will be able to enter our country with a valid Russian visa. An additional Belarusian visa is not required.
Tourism is a sector with significant growth potential. How is Belarus working to attract more Indian tourists?
Belarus is a country with an ancient history and rich traditions, picturesque nature and stunning architecture, industrial giants and a developed agricultural sector, unique cuisine, and hospitable people.
The country is becoming increasingly attractive to tourists every year. More than 11 million people visit Belarus annually. The country’s leadership is actively working to enhance Belarus’s tourism appeal. This work is being carried out in a variety of areas, each representing a distinct type of tourism: architectural heritage, national traditions, medical tourism, ecotourism, industrial tourism, and more.
Another example of a promising tourism destination: in August 2025, at the invitation of the President of Belarus, 24 children from India vacationed at the National Children’s Health Center “Zubrenok”.
Furthermore, the country hosts numerous business forums and exhibitions annually, which also attract large numbers of tourists and business representatives. The most well-known of these are Belagro, MILEX and INNOPROM.
Your Excellency, is there anything you would like to convey to our readers?
Indeed, despite their geographical distance, the peoples of Belarus and India have much in common. Belarusians and Indians have always been renowned for their hard work, kindness, and diligence. History has repeatedly tested our nations’ strength with wars, crises, and epidemics. But despite everything, we have continued to move forward, remaining true to ourselves and our values.
For decades, relations between our countries have developed exclusively positively, constructively, and amicably. Neither the collapse of the Soviet Union, nor numerous economic and humanitarian crises, nor the threat of sanctions have been able to destroy them. Our peoples have weathered these trials shoulder to shoulder and have not bowed their heads, despite everything.
Therefore, I sincerely believe that our peoples still have many good and bright moments in their shared history ahead.