Belarusian envoy Mikhail Kasko has thanked New Delhi for supporting his nation to become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

While speaking to ANI, the Belarusian Ambassador said, “We are grateful to the Indian side for support of the Republic of Belarus to become a full member of the SCO. Belarus is already at the finish line in terms of joining the SCO. We ratified the Memorandum, joined all international treaties within the Organization and are ready for active joint work within the SCO dimension.”

 India’s relations with Belarus have been traditionally warm and cordial. India was one of the first countries to recognize Belarus as independent country in 1991.

Formal diplomatic relations were established and the Indian diplomatic mission was opened in Minsk in 1992-with the first Resident Ambassador joining in January 1993-followed by the opening of Belarusian Embassy in New Delhi in 1998.

Belarus opened its Honorary Consulate in Kolkata in December 2002 and in Mumbai in September 2018.

In August 2022, the new Belarusian Consulate General in Mumbai was inaugurated.