Meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Belarus Ashok Kumar

There is a potential for boosting Belarus-India trade, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Belarus Ashok Kumar in Minsk on 4 November.

"Cooperation between Belarus and India is highly relevant now and is under special control. We are far from having exhausted our potential, and haven't even come close to tapping into the opportunities we have today. Although we have doubled our trade, reaching half a billion dollars, this is miniscule for our relations. The target we are aiming for, namely $2-3 billion in annual trade, is quite realistic and achievable. Therefore, it is important we step up our cooperation," the head of state said.

"Our minister of foreign affairs will report on the measures we are taking in this area. However, we also hope for an active engagement from the Indian side in our joint efforts to ramp up trade. I know you can do this. With our considerable experience and shared history dating back to the Soviet times, we are keen to boost our trade and economic ties," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Regarding political and diplomatic relations, the head of state noted that they are at a sufficiently high level. However, he is confident that trade and economic relations could give them a serious boost and an impetus.

"We would be glad to welcome Prime Minister Modi to Belarus. Our doors are always open, and we look forward to the opportunity to host him here. I am confident that the Belarusian people share this sentiment and would be honored to receive a leader of such great experience, competence, and influence," the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also noted that he personally has developed a very warm and cordial relationship with Narendra Modi. "We regularly communicate at international venues, such as the recent SCO meetings in China," the President said.

"We are ready to work with you under your presidency in BRICS and are prepared to do everything necessary to ensure your chairmanship is a success. We are grateful to you for the assistance and support you provided us with during our accession to the SCO, as well as for the partnership within BRICS. We gladly rely on your help and support. And you have never refused us this help and support," the head of state said.

Belarus currently holds the status of a BRICS partner country. This status was officially formalized at the end of 2024 after receiving an invitation and signing the relevant document, and since the start of 2025, Belarus has officially joined the work of the organization.

Belarus also aims to establish humanitarian cooperation with India. "We started with cinema. This is natural because it is highly developed in your country. Your films are featured at the Listapad festival. We thank you for taking part in it," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The President also expressed gratitude to the Indian side for its high-level participation in the recent Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security: "We noticed this and highly appreciate it."

"Mr Ambassador, there are many promising areas we can build upon to boost our trade and economic cooperation. And the economy serves as the foundation for enhancing our interaction in other areas," the Belarusian leader said.