Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 6 October (BelTA) – The Belarusian-Indian relations have been dynamically developing in every area, Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Valentin Rybakov said at a meeting to mark the Day of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Program (ITEC) on 6 October, BelTA has learned.

The deputy minister stressed that the event was held on the back of the Belarusian-Indian active cooperation in various spheres and steadily developing bilateral relations. “Next year our countries will mark the 25^th anniversary of diplomatic relations, 25 years of friendship and partnership,” said Valentin Rybakov.

In his words, 25 years is a comparatively small period in history, but the depth of friendship, as one of the famous Indian poets say, does not depend on its length. “Over a short period of time Belarus and India could create robust foundation for cooperation, bilateral legal framework, necessary intergovernmental mechanisms and implemented numerous joint projects in trade, investment, science and education,” the deputy minister stressed.

According to Valentin Rybakov, a serious impetus to the bilateral cooperation was added by Indian President’s Pranab Mukherjee to Belarus last year. Then, the leaders of the two countries agreed on the roadmap of the Belarusian-Indian cooperation which aimed to strengthen all-round cooperation.

The deputy minister also emphasized the importance of developing human contacts between the two countries, which is an integral part of successful interstate partnership. This is also one of the main goals of the ITEC program which Belarus joined in 1993. Valentin Rybakov expressed gratitude to India for the quotas provided to Belarus within this instrument.

According to Valentin Rybakov, ITEC is not just a platform for getting knowledge and additional education. It also helps learn more about people and cultures of various countries. The program promotes cooperation not only between Belarus and India, but also advances friendship and unity between different nations.

In turn, Indian Ambassador to Belarus Pankaj Saxena thanked Valentin Rybakov and other representatives of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as numerous guests for the participation in the event. “It proves the popularity of the program with our Belarusian friends,” he said. According to the diplomat, over 270 Belarusian nationals have taken part in the program since the country joined it.

The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was initiated by the decision of the Indian government on 15 September 1964 as a program of Indian assistance to other countries on a bilateral basis.

Within the ITEC program representatives of 156 countries are invited to undergo courses of enhancing qualifications at different educational institutions of India.

Since 1993 the Indian government has been providing Belarus with annual grants under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation program for on-the-job training in India, including language learning, management, audit, banking industry, education, journalism, technical and economic sciences.