OREANDA-NEWS. “Belarus values its relationship with India and is proud of it,” said President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Belarus Rajendra Kumar Tyagi on 4 December, held on the occasion of the expiry of the diplomat’s term of office, reported the Official website http://president.gov.by.

Alexander Lukashenko thanked the Ambassador for his efforts to consolidate the bilateral relationship between Belarus and India and expressed conviction that in his new office Mr Rajendra Kumar Tyagi would continue to promote cooperation between the two countries.

During Mr Rajendra Kumar Tyagi ’s term of office, the bilateral trade relationship has expanded considerably. But, although the rate of trade growth is good, the potential of the bilateral trade relationship has not been exploited in full. And both sides should work on it. Last year, the bilateral trade in goods reached US 183 million. From January to October 2008, it rose significantly and reached US 351.3 million. The strategic goal here, as outlined by the leaders of Belarus and China, is to raise bilateral trade to US 500 million by 2010.

India is Belarus’ traditional trade partner in Asia. The two countries interact closely in many areas, and continuously coordinate their positions regarding further cooperation. For instance, on 17-18 November 2008, India hosted the fourth session of the Belarusian-Indian intergovernmental commission on cooperation in economy, trade, industry, science, technology and culture.

According to Mr Rajendra Kumar Tyagi, Belarus and India indeed have great prospects for expanding their trade and economic relationship, and can actually boost their bilateral trade to US 700 million by 2010.

The Ambassador said that “success in the bilateral relationship has been ensured by the political will of the leaders of the two states”. He highlighted the close interaction between the two countries at the level of ministries and agencies.

A major impetus to Belarusian-Indian interaction was given by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s state visit to India in April 2007 (the Belarusian leader visited India twice, first time in 1997).

Belarus and India cooperate in an array of fields, including within the framework of international organisations. The cooperation between Belarus and India in the UN is mutually beneficial. The two countries have close or similar positions on major international peace and security issues. Cumulatively, the countries concur on the approaches to accomplishing the objectives and goals of the UN Millennium Declaration and implementing the resolutions adopted at major international conferences.

It has been repeatedly stated at the level of India’s leadership that Belarus is India’s reliable and time-tested friend; and expansion of the relationship with Belarus is an area of strategic interest to New Delhi. The Indian leadership views Belarus as a country pursuing independent foreign policy and having political gravitas and playing the leading role in integration process in the territory of the former Soviet Union.