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India is ready to acquire stake in Belaruskali, ambassador says

India is ready to acquire a stake in Belarus' potash giant Belaruskali, Ambassador Manoj Bharti told reporters in Minsk on August 10.

India has sent its offer to the Belarusian government and is waiting for a reply, the ambassador said when asked about the size and price of the stake.

Mr. Bharti noted that Belarusian Potash Company had signed a contract last week for supplying 1.2 million tons of potash to India within nine months at $490 per ton.

The Indian newspaper Mint reported earlier on Wednesday with reference to two senior officials at the fertilizer ministry that India was "looking to acquire a 20-25-percent stake" in Belaruskali for between $6 billion and $7 billion.

India is showing a great deal of interest in Belarus' machine-building industry, Mr. Bharti said.

He noted that Belarusian Automobile Plant (BelAZ) had opened its servicing center in India, and that work was under way on investment proposals from BelAZ and AAT Amkador, a Minsk-based manufacturer of road construction and other machinery.

Minsk will take the necessary measures if it establishes that Belarusian arms are sold to terrorist groups, Mr. Bharti said when asked to comment on Internet reports that Belarus supplied military equipment to Islamist militant groups Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Taib.

All countries, including Belarus, are under threat of terrorist attacks, and Belarus will definitely contribute to tackling this threat if such a contribution is necessary, the ambassador said. //BelaPAN