Belarusian defense minister meets Chinese, Iranian counterparts ahead of regional meeting

April 27, BPN. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktar Chrenin and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu have “outlined ways of further cooperation in the near future” at a meeting in New Delhi, the Belarusian defense office reports. They “exchanged views on the state of and prospects for cooperation in the military sector.”

Also today, Chrenin met with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani to discuss further expansion of military contacts. The parties emphasized that “in the current difficult conditions of turbulence, it is precisely the consolidation of joint efforts, the deepening of cooperation, and mutual support that will contribute to the maintenance and strengthening of peace and security.”

The officials have arrived in New Delhi for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ministers scheduled for April 28. Minsk is working to complete Belarus’ SCO accession process before June, while Iran joined the organization last year.

Established in 2001, the SCO comprises China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Belarus has been the SCO’s partner since 2010 and an observer since 2015. Minsk applied for SCO membership in July 2022.