Minsk [Belarus], October 28 (ANI): India and Belarus held the 8th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), co-chaired by Secretary (West) Sibi George and Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Evgeny Shestakov. The discussions covered bilateral relations and included an exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.
In a post on X, the MEA stated that the two sides discussed the entire range of bilateral relations, including political, economic, cultural, tourism, educational, and consular matters. “The 8th round of India-Belarus Foreign Office Consultations co-chaired by Secretary (West) @AmbSibiGeorge and H.E. Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Mr. Evgeny Shestakov was held in Minsk. Both sides discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including political, economic, cultural, tourism, education and consular matters. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the MEA said.
According to the ministry, the 7th round of consultations took place in August 2022 in New Delhi. Over the years, India and Belarus have signed multiple agreements and memoranda of understanding across diverse sectors, including trade and economic cooperation, culture, education, media, sports, tourism, science and technology, agriculture, textiles, avoidance of double taxation, investment promotion and protection, and defense and technical cooperation.
India’s ties with Belarus have been traditionally warm and cordial. The MEA noted that India was among the first countries to recognize Belarus as an independent nation in 1991. Formal diplomatic relations were established soon after, with the Indian diplomatic mission opening in Minsk in 1992. The first resident ambassador joined in January 1993, followed by the establishment of the Belarusian Embassy in New Delhi in 1998.
Bilateral relations between New Delhi and Minsk are characterized by broad understanding and cooperation on issues of mutual interest. The two countries enjoy a comprehensive partnership and have established multiple institutional mechanisms for regular dialogue, including Foreign Office Consultations, the Intergovernmental Commission (IGC), the Joint Commission on Military Technical Cooperation, and other thematic bilateral mechanisms.
India and Belarus also collaborate closely in international, multilateral, and regional forums, maintaining a shared perspective on several global and regional issues. (ANI)
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