Minsk, New Delhi ready to boost bilateral ties – foreign ministry

December 29, Pozirk. Belarusian Foreign Minister Siarhiej Alejnik and India’s envoy Alok Ranjan Jha confirmed mutual readiness for “further joint work” to give “an additional impetus” to bilateral relations, the foreign ministry’s press office reported. 

At their meeting in Minsk on December 28, the diplomats noted the development of bilateral trade in the outgoing year and discussed plans for 2024, bilateral visits and steps to boost ties between Belarus and India.

They also focused on international cooperation, including within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS, an economic bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Trade between Belarus and India fell from $627.8 million in 2020 to $223.77 in 2022, according to the Indian embassy’s data.

The major reason is the halt in supplies of Belarusian potash fertilizers to India amid Western sanctions. Belarus’ potash exports to India fell from about $300 million in 2020 and 2021 to $168.5 million in 2022. This year, Belarus has not exported potash to India.

Minsk is seeking to resume fertilizer supplies, Belarusian Ambassador in India Andrej Ržavuski told journalists earlier this month.