Ryzhenkov meets Indian FM on sidelines of BRICS summit

On 12 September, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov arrived in India at the instruction of President Alexander Lukashenko to attend the 18th BRICS summit. On the sidelines of the summit, he met with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The two discussed the full range of bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed the friendly nature of relations, including within BRICS and the SCO. Ryzhenkov thanked his Indian counterpart for hosting the summit and for hospitality. Jaishankar noted the meeting between Alexander Lukashenko and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 August during the SCO Council of Heads of State in Kyrgyzstan and praised Belarus's efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis and normalize the situation in Eastern Europe. The sides discussed plans for high-level visits, expanding Belarus’s consular presence in Indian regions, and preparing a roadmap for cooperation for 2026–2030. Priority was given to holding the 12th meeting of the Belarus-India Intergovernmental Commission as soon as possible, with sectoral consultations between businesses and regulators planned as preparation for high-level contacts. Trade turnover has exceeded $1 billion and continues to grow. The parties agreed to support the swift conclusion of negotiations on a free trade zone between the EAEU and India. Ryzhenkov reported the Belarusian government's decision to issue e-visas to Indian citizens. To expand contacts, more flights are planned between Minsk and New Delhi, as well as other major Indian cities.