Opinions & Interviews

VITEBSK, 9 February (BelTA) - New horizons open up in Belarusian-Indian cooperation, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Belarus Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Belarus Pankaj Saxena said during a meeting with senior officials of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee on 9 February, BelTA has learned.

The diplomat is visiting Vitebsk Oblast these days: on 8 February he went to Orsha and will travel to Novopolotsk on 10 February.

Talking to reporters after the meeting with the regional authorities, Ambassador Pankaj Saxena noted that cooperation between India and Belarus has recently intensified. “We have a lot of contacts, including in defense, science and education. Interaction is improving, and this opens up new horizons and new prospects for cooperation,” the diplomat stressed.

“I am impressed with what I have seen during my visit to the region, which is known for the Medical University, Orsha Linen Mill, shoe manufacturing, beautiful nature and friendly people. I visited Orsha Linen Mill, the Jesuit collegium in Orsha, Vitebsk Medical University, Marko show manufacture and every time I felt warmth and interest in developing the relations with India. The main areas are medical preparations, leather and linen. Strengthening economic ties leads to the development of cultural interaction,” Ambassador shared his impressions.

During the official meeting, Vice Chairman of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Oleg Matskevich underlined that Vitebsk Oblast and India began to actively collaborate in pharmaceutical industry. In the town of Beshenkovichy there is a pharmaceutical company Nativita (produces drugs for the treatment of malignant tumors, a number of severe autoimmune and infectious diseases). Among the investors of the company is an Indian firm. Cooperation in this area can be developed on the basis of the enterprise BelVitunipharm. It mainly produces veterinary medicines, but there is the capability to start manufacturing medicines for people.

Processing of agricultural products, notably milk, was named among the possible areas of cooperation. “India is one of the advanced countries in the production of milk. It is fully self-sufficient and even exports dairy products,” the diplomat noted. We should seek common ground and opportunities for cooperation in dairy business. More so that Vitebsk Oblast has a very advantageous geographical position. It borders not only on Russia but also Lithuania and Latvia. You can create clusters for export to neighboring countries,” Ambassador Pankaj Saxena.

India is also well-known for its leather production and is ready to share its technologies. The parties reached an agreement that Director General of Marko Holding Company Nikolai Martynov will visit India in March.

The diplomat also spoke about a trip to India, which was organized for Belarusian painters. There are plans to stage an exhibition of their works once the trip is over. The Embassy would like the exposition to be showcased in the regions. The diplomat suggested celebrating International Yoga Day in Vitebsk. The similar event gathered a big number of participants in Minsk last year. The Vitebsk authorities supported Pankaj Saxena’s proposal.

The Indian diplomat visited FEZ Vitebsk and is also expected to be given a tour around the city. On 10 February the Indian Ambassador will pay a visit to Novopolotsk to meet with Mayor Dmitry Demidov and visit the Polotsk State University.