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Relations between Belarus and India are characterized by huge potential and shortage of information, ambassador says

The relations between Belarus and India are characterized by a huge potential and a lack of information about each other, Indian Ambassador Ramesh Chandra said at a news conference held in Minsk on Tuesday on the occasion of India's Independence Day (August 15), as quoted by BelaPAN.

Mr. Chandra described the ties between Belarus and India as traditionally "warm and cordial" and emphasized the similarity of the two countries’ views on regional and international issues and the importance of visits by high-ranking government officials and inter-parliamentary cooperation.

Bilateral trade and economic cooperation is becoming more active, with Indian-Belarusian trade exceeding $600 million in 2009, Mr. Chandra said.

The modernization of a power plant in Hrodna is one of the most important joint projects, estimated at $55 million, he said. An Indian delegation has recently arrived in Belarus to visit the plant, he noted.

Other notable projects include the establishment of a training center for Belarusians at the High-Tech Park in Minsk, he said.

A delegation of Indian businesspeople interested in buying and selling machine-building products will visit Belarus in October, Mr. Chandra said. In the fourth quarter of the year, a delegation of the state of Punjab will visit Belarus to discuss ways of developing cooperation in the agricultural sector and the farm produce processing industry, he said.

Indian-Belarusian cooperation in the field of culture and education is excellent, Mr. Chandra said. About 100 citizens of India currently study at higher educational institutions in Belarus and about 500 Belarusians practice Indian dance styles in Minsk alone, he noted. In addition, he said, young Belarusian women visit Mumbai to perform in musicals and be cheerleaders at cricket games.

Mr. Chandra called on Belarus to develop commercial tourism and noted that the facilities of Belarusfilm could be used to shoot both Bollywood movies and joint movies.

The ambassador stressed that he was open for cooperation and urged journalists to help Belarusians learn more about India.