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State visit of President of Belarus, H.E. Mr. Aliaksandr Lukashenka to India
The President of Belarus, H.E. Mr. Aleksandr Lukashenko paid a State visit to India from April 15-16, 2007. He was accompanied by a high level delegation consisting of five Ministers and Chairmen of State Committees on Science & Technology and Military-Industry. The members of the delegation are listed at Annex I. A group of leading Belarus businessmen is also visiting India to coincide with this visit. (Photographs) The President of Belarus met the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister. The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on issues of international and mutual interest. A Joint Statement was adopted on the visit of the President of Belarus. Five agreements were concluded during the visit.
The Minister of Interior of Belarus, Mr. Vladimir Naumov met the Minister of Home Affairs, Shri. Shivraj Patil to exchange views and discuss areas of mutual interest. The fourth meeting of the Joint Committee on Science & Technology led by the Chairman of the Belarus State Committee on Science & Technology, Mr. Vladimir Matyushkov and Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Mr. T. Ramasami reviewed bilateral scientific and technological cooperation and implementation of joint projects. The Chairman of State Military and Industrial Committee, Mr. Nikolai Azamatov met the Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri, Shri. M. Natarajan. Mayor of Minsk, Mr. Mikhail Pavlov met the Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit.
The fourth meeting of the India - Belarus Joint Business Council, which was organised by FICCI was held on April 16, 2007 and was attended by leading businessmen from both sides (Photographs)
Composition of the official delegation
1. Mr. Vladimir Naumov Minister of Interior
2. Mr. Sergei Martynov Minister of Foreign Affairs
3. Ms. Anna Deiko Minister of Taxation
4. Mr. Anatoly Rusetsky Minister of Industry
5. Mr. Viktor Golovanov Minister of Justice
6. Mr. Nikolai Azamatov Chairman of State Military and Industrial Committee
7. Mr. Vladimir Matyushkov Chairman of State Committee for Science and Technology
8. Mr. Mikhail Pavlov Mayor of Minsk City
9. Mr. Aleksandr Zhuk First Deputy Minister of Education
10. Mr. Vasily Strazhev Rector of State Belarusian University
11. Mr. Oleg Laptenok Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to India
12. Mr. Viktor Lukashenko Advisor to the President (National Security)
13. Mr. Vladimir Makey Advisor to the President
14. Mr. Valentin Rybakov Advisor to the President [top]
Composition of the business delegation 1. Mr. Yury Mosienko General Manager, Agat State Company
2. Mr. Viktor Emelianov General Manager, Integral Factory
3. Mr. Pavel Mariev General Manager, MAZ Truck Factory
4. Mr. Dmitry Katerinich General Manager, Belshina Company
5. Mr. Vladimir Bobrov Chairman of Chamber of Commerce
6. Mr. Vladimir Linev General Manager, Adany State Company
7. Mr. Vladimir Pokryshkin General Manager, Peleng State Company
8. Mr. Igor Semerikov General Manager, Beltechexport State Company
9. Mr. Yury Chernyshev General Manager, Neman Tobacco Factory
10. Mr. Aleksei Shkadarevich Manager, LAMT Optical Company [top]
Documents signed at the conclusion of the talks between the two sides 1. Treaty on Extradition between the Republic of India and the Republic of Belarus
2. Agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Belarus on cooperation in the field of Agriculture
3. Programme of Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Belarus in the field of culture, arts, education, mass media and press for 2007-09
4. Executive Programme of Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology between the Republic of India and the Republic of Belarus for the period 2007-10
5. Protocol on the accession of the Republic of Belarus to the World Trade Organization between the Republic of India and the Republic of Belarus
Joint Statement on the visit of the President of the Republic of Belarus
H.E. Mr. A.G. Lukashenko to India
At the invitation of the President of India, H.E. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the President of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Mr. A.G. Lukashenko, paid a State visit to the Republic of India on April 15 -16, 2007.
2. During the visit, the President of the Republic of Belarus had meetings with the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Vice President of India, Shri. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the External Affairs Minister, Shri. Pranab Mukherjee.
3. The talks were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere. Both sides noted with satisfaction the close and friendly relations between India and Belarus, the friendship between the two peoples and shared views and understanding on various international issues. The two sides reviewed the present state and future prospects of India-Belarus relations, and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest. It was noteworthy that the visit coincided with the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Belarus (on April 17, 2007).
4. The two sides noted that high-level visits impart a positive impetus to bilateral cooperation by further strengthening the political and economic aspects of their relationship, mutual trust and traditional friendship between the people of the two countries. The two sides expressed their readiness to further strengthen their ties through mutual visits at all levels in order to provide a fresh impetus to India-Belarus relations.
5. Recognizing the benefits of long term partnership, the two sides agreed to the further strengthening and diversifying of their cooperation in various fields. They stressed the importance of new initiatives in the spheres of trade, economy, science & technology and two-way investment, including the setting-up of joint ventures and industrial applications of jointly developed technologies. The two sides noted the importance of further diversifying and strengthening the ways and means of economic and financial co-operation through coordinated efforts.
6. The two sides noted with satisfaction the successful completion of bilateral negotiations culminating in the signing of a bilateral Protocol on Belarus’ accession to World Trade Organization.
7. It was reiterated that bilateral relations are based on the principles of peaceful co-existence, mutual trust and understanding aimed at fulfilling the interests of the two countries and their peoples. The importance of cooperation in various spheres based on co-ordination and interaction between the Ministries, Departments and other entities concerned was highlighted by the two sides.
8. India and Belarus acknowledged the prospects of strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and agreed to set-up an India-Belarus Joint Commission on military-technical cooperation.
9. The two sides stressed that independence, sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and territorial integrity are fundamental principles governing international relations. The two sides agreed that harmonious co-existence and democratization of international relations contribute to the strengthening of global stability and security. Both sides fully support the establishment of a multi-polar world order which could guarantee progress, development, security and stability for all countries. They agreed that it is important to respect the diversity of the development models of different countries and shared the view that relations between states and co-operation among them in today’s globalizing world must be based on this approach. India acknowledged the policies followed by Belarus as a sovereign state and its model of development and supported Belarus’ efforts aimed at protecting its sovereignty and national dignity and contributing to its social and economic development.
10. The two sides stressed that activities aimed at strengthening a central and coordinating role of the UN in achieving peace, stability and security all over the world, and at enhancing the authority and efficiency of the UN, constitute important elements of India-Belarus cooperation at the international level.
11. The two sides agreed on the need for greater efforts by all member countries to accelerate the process of UN reform, including the expansion of the Security Council, in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, so as to reflect contemporary realities. In this context, Belarus reaffirmed its support to India as a candidate with strong credentials for permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council.
12. In the context of regional conflicts, both sides agreed that political and diplomatic reconciliation should be achieved by adopting dialogue and negotiations as a norm in inter-governmental relations.
13. The two sides expressed concern about the negative effects of slavery and human trafficking and reiterated their commitment to work towards combating this phenomenon.
14. The two sides supported efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability and economic reconstruction in Iraq.
15. The two sides expressed hope that the issue of Palestine will be resolved through peaceful negotiations, resulting in a sovereign, independent viable State of Palestine, within recognized and well-defined borders, living at peace with the State of Israel, and in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, within a reasonable time-frame.
16. India and Belarus supported further strengthening of the activities of the Non-Aligned Movement, the principle of solidarity within the Non-Aligned Movement, the commonality of positions of the NAM members in the United Nations Organization & other international organizations and furthering interaction among its member countries, particularly in the areas of trade and economic co-operation.
17. Both sides stated that terrorism in all its manifestations poses a serious threat to global peace and stability and that India and Belarus will further strengthen cooperation both bilaterally as well as in the multilateral context to combat this phenomenon. In this context, they called upon all member states to step up efforts to conclude a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the United Nations expeditiously.
18. Both India and Belarus, as responsible members of the international community, reiterated their commitment to the objective of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
19. The two sides recognized that nuclear energy is a viable, long-term, economical and environmentally-sound means for electric power generation. The two sides expressed their intention to broaden and strengthen co-operation in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy. The two sides recognized the importance of the application of innovative technologies in the nuclear sphere. The participation of India and Belarus in an international project on innovative nuclear reactors being implemented under the aegis of the IAEA is an example of effective international co-operation in this regard.
20. Belarus will continue to work with the participating Governments of the Nuclear Suppliers Group in order to create conditions for the expansion of the framework for co-operation with India in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy.
21. With a view to further enhancing the mutually beneficial ties between India and Belarus in different spheres of co-operation, the following documents were signed at the conclusion of the talks between the two sides:
Documents signed at the conclusion of the talks between the two sides - Treaty on Extradition; - Agreement on cooperation in the field of Agriculture; - Programme of Cooperation in the field of culture, arts, education, mass media and press for 2007-09; - Executive Programme of Cooperation in the field of Science & Technology for the period 2007-10; - Protocol on the accession of the Republic of Belarus to the World Trade Organization. 22. The President of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Mr. A.G. Lukashenko expressed his gratitude to the Indian Side for the warm reception accorded to him and invited the President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh to visit Belarus. The invitations were accepted with pleasure. [top]
Fourth meeting of the India Belarus Joint Business Council NEW DELHI, APR 16: India-Belarus business cooperation received a fresh impetus on Monday with the signing of six B2B agreements in sectors like heavy-mining equipment, machine tools and steel.
The agreements were signed in the presence of minister of state for industry Ashwani Kumar and his Belarus counterpart Anatoly M. Rusetsky at the fourth meeting of the India Belarus Joint Business Council organised by Ficci.
The companies that signed MoUs include BelAZ and Dhansar Engineering Co Pvt. Ltd, BelAZ and GS Atwal & Co, BelAZ and Subron Construction, BelAZ and Power Tools & Appliances Co Ltd, Belstankoinstruments and Power Tools & Appliances Co Ltd, and Belarus Metallurgical Works (BMZ) and Adair Dutt & Company (I) Pvt. Ltd.
BelAZ is a world leader in the manufacture of heavy mining equipment, while Belstankoinstruments and Belarus Metallurgical Works (BMZ) specialise in machine tools and steel making, respectively. [top]
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