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 Belarus |  India |
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Belarus–India relations are the bilateral ties betweenIndia andBelarus. Belarus has an embassy inNew Delhi whilst India has an embassy inMinsk. Both countries are members of theNon Aligned Movement.
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Both India (British Raj) andByelorussia were the founding members of theUnited Nations. India was one of the first few countries to recognise Belarus' independence.[citation needed]
India has participated in the reconstruction of power facilities in Belarus for energy generation and transmission. An Indian companyBharat Heavy Electricals worked on similar project in the Grodno power plant.[1] Other agreements include exploration of energy resources in Belarus and in electrical equipment.
MoUs have been signed in the field of Trade and Commerce. Belarus hasPotash mines which is used in pharmaceutical and fertilizer industry which is big part of India imports. A MoU was signed between Bureau of Indian Standards and Belarus' State Committee for Standardization to cooperate in the field of standardization. Some others include that on broadcasting, textiles, manufacturing and defense.[2][3] India and Belarus also have set a trade target of US$1 Billion, to be achieved by 2018.[4] India is also involved in seeking investment and resources through Belarusian route for developing smart cities.[5] Other terms include improving the manufacturing sector and increasing skill development and consideringSwach Bharat initiative by improving sanitation and cleanliness. The India CIS Chambers of Commerce and Industry was formed to devise correct policies and monitor the trade relations between theCIS states including Belarus and India.[6]
In June 2025, Indian Defence MinisterRajnath Singh met hisBelarusian counterpart Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers' conclave inQingdao, China. The two discussed strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and enhancing regional security.
The meeting underscored the strategic value of theIndia–Belarus partnership, particularly in defence manufacturing, technology exchange, and military training. Belarus remains a key partner in India’s efforts to diversify its defence ties and boost indigenous capabilities.
Singh called the interaction “enriching,” reaffirming India's commitment to deepening engagement withEurasian partners. He also held separate talks withRussian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov, focusing on the evolving regional security scenario.[7]
Belarus supports India at the NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) and for the permanent membership inUnited Nations Security Council. India supports Belarus for its membership in the NAM (Non-Alignment Movement) and in IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union).[8]
During the visit ofPranab Mukherjee, the president of India, in June 2015, many agreements were signed which include exchange of students and promotion of tourism.[9] It also included science & technology cooperation.
The cultural relations between both countries were established from the time when Belarus was part of Soviet Union. India's national poetRabindranath Tagore visited Minsk in 1931 where he met with other intellectuals. The musician, Nicholas Nabokov, visited India in the 1960s and was impressed by India's musical traditions.[10][11]
Hindu religion believers in Belarus face problems exercising theirfreedom of religion rights. According toUnited States Department of State, BelarusianInternational Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) activists fear to register their communities because of possible fraud and revenge from authorities.[12] In 2003, activists of Belarusian branch of ISKCON issued a statement against defamation of their religion in Belarusian school textbook. ISKCON communities were accused of fooling the believers (an offensive word "making-blockhead" was used in the textbook), and it was stated that Krishnaite believers need a psychiatrist assistance to return to "real life".[13] In 2016, ISKCON activist inHomiel was fined for outdoor religious activity.[14] According toHuman Rights Watch,arbitrary arrests of ISKCON activists and other Hinduists are regular.[15]
In July 2021, Belarusian authorities launched an attack on non-governmental organizations, and among NGOs forcibly closed by Ministry of justice was "Vedanta vada" (Russian:Веданта вада) Hinduist cultural and educational organization.[16] "Vedanta vada" was based inMahilioŭ and was active in promoting Indian culture and religion.[17]
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