- A Unique Gesture: To take 30 children from Pune orphanage to Belarus for excursion.
- 30 children from an orphanage near Pune to Belarus for an excursion.
By Mewati Sitaram
Newly appointed Consul General of Belarus in Mumbai His Excellency Aliaksandra Matsukou met The Governor of Maharashtra Ramesh Bais at Raj Bhavan Mumbai on March 19th, 2024. It was a courtesy call.
Matsukou, who is the first full time Consul General appointed by Belarus in Mumbai apprised the Governor that Foreign Minister of Belarus met with Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar in New Delhi. During the meeting the framework of regional cooperation was discussed.
During his meeting with the Governor, H.E. CG emphasised that The Republic of Belarus is keen to foster trade, business, tourism and cultural relations with India. They are particularly keen on sister city collaboration between the Brest Region of Belarus and Maharashtra.
The CG stated Belarus had very strong relations with India when his country was part of the Soviet Union. He communicated to the Governor that the country is further keen to restore strong relations with India once again.
The Consul General told the Governor that Belarus, an Eastern European nation, intends to act as a bridge between the European Union and Russian Federation. He said the Internal Ministry of Belarus is keen to offer expertise to Mumbai in traffic management. He said in order to strengthen humanitarian relations, the Government of Belarus will take 30 children from an orphanage near Pune to Belarus for an excursion.
The Consul General told the Governor that Indian culture, especially Indian music, dance, yoga and films are very popular in Belarus. He said the country will be organizing its Cultural Day in New Delhi and Mumbai. CG recently visited Tadoba Tiger reserve and the botanical garden in Chandrapur, he was impressed with efforts and applauded the efforts of India in environment conservation.
The Governor of Maharashtra Ramesh Bais, welcoming the Consul General of Belarus said “He will be happy to see academic collaboration, especially student-exchange program, faculty exchange and cultural exchange between the universities in Maharashtra and Belarus. This will enhance better relations with two countries. He also expressed the hope that the opening of direct flights between New Delhi and Minsk will promote two-way tourism”.
About India- Belarus Relations: India- Belarus – relations are the bilateral ties between two countries. Both countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Both India (British Raj) and Byelorussia were the founding members of the United Nations (UN). India was one of the first few countries to recognise Belarus’ independence. The cultural relations between both countries were established from the time when Belarus was part of the Soviet Union.
India’s national poet Rabindranath Tagore visited Minsk in 1931 where he met with other intellectuals. The musician, Nicholas Nabokov, visited India in the 1960s and was impressed by India’s musical traditions.
Belarus supports India at the NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) and for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council. India supports Belarus for its membership in the NAM (Non-Alignment Movement) and in IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union).
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
