The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Belarus met with the leadership of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee

"New horizons are opening in Belarusian-Indian cooperation," stated the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Belarus, Pankaj Saxena, to journalists today after meeting with the leadership of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.

The diplomat is visiting the Vitebsk region these days: on February 8, he visited Orsha, today he is in Vitebsk, and tomorrow he plans to visit Novopolotsk. Speaking to journalists after the meeting with the regional executive committee leadership, Pankaj Saxena noted that cooperation between India and Belarus has been intensifying recently.

"We have many contacts, including in the defense, scientific-technical, and educational spheres. Interaction is improving, and this opens new horizons, new prospects for cooperation," the diplomat emphasized. "I am impressed by the visit to the region, which is known for its medical university, the Orsha Flax Mill, footwear production, natural beauty, and the friendliness of its people. I visited the flax mill, the Jesuit Collegium in Orsha, the Vitebsk Medical University, and the 'Marko' enterprise, and everywhere I feel warmth and interest in developing relations with India," the ambassador shared his impressions. "Indian students have been coming to Vitebsk to study for a long time, and now business is starting to develop. The main areas are medical preparations, leather goods, and flax. Strengthening economic ties also leads to the establishment of cultural interaction."

During the official meeting, the Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Oleg Matskevich, emphasized that the Vitebsk region and India have begun to actively cooperate in pharmaceuticals – the pharmaceutical company "Nativita" (a plant for the production of drugs for the treatment of malignant tumors, as well as a number of autoimmune and severe infectious diseases) operates in Beshenkovichi, with an Indian firm among the enterprise's investors. Cooperation in this area can also be developed on the basis of the "BelVitunipharm" enterprise. It mainly produces veterinary drugs, but there is an opportunity to produce medicines for humans as well. Processing of agricultural products was also named among the possible areas of cooperation.

first of all, milk.

 "India is one of the leading countries in milk production, it fully provides for itself and even exports dairy products," said Saxena Pankaj. - We need to find common ground and opportunities for our dairy enterprises to cooperate. Especially since the Vitebsk region has a very advantageous geographical position, it borders not only Russia but also Lithuania and Latvia. Clusters can be created for export to neighboring countries." India is also known for its leather production and is ready to share its experience in this field. A preliminary agreement has already been reached that Nikolay Martynov, General Director of the "Marko" holding, will visit India in March.

In addition, the diplomat spoke about the already organized trip of Belarusian artists to India. Following the trip, it is planned to organize an exhibition of the painters' works. The embassy is interested in the exposition being shown in the regions. The diplomat also proposed to the leadership of the city and region to celebrate the International Day of Yoga in Vitebsk. Last summer, a similar event was held in Minsk and gathered a large number of participants. The leadership supported Saxena Pankaj's initiatives.

After the meeting at the regional executive committee, the Indian diplomat visited the FEZ "Vitebsk", and a sightseeing tour of the city and acquaintance with the main attractions of the regional center are also planned for today.

On February 10, the Ambassador of India will visit Novopolotsk, where he will meet with Dmitry Demidov, Chairman of the City Executive Committee, and visit Polotsk State University.

Alena Tikhonova - BELTA.