Belarusian Foreign Minister joins high-level diplomatic engagements in the Indian capital as BRICS leaders and partner countries gather for the summit.
NEW DELHI: Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov arrived in New Delhi to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit, adding another European diplomatic presence to the high-level gathering being hosted by India.
Ryzhenkov’s arrival comes as New Delhi welcomes leaders, foreign ministers and senior representatives from BRICS member countries and partner nations for discussions focused on international cooperation, economic development and the priorities of emerging economies.
Belarus has been seeking closer engagement with BRICS and its member states, with Minsk viewing cooperation with major emerging economies as an important avenue for expanding trade, investment and diplomatic partnerships.
Belarus Looks to Deepen Engagement
Ryzhenkov’s participation provides an opportunity for Belarus to strengthen its engagement with India and other countries associated with the BRICS framework.
Areas such as trade, industrial cooperation, agriculture, technology, logistics and investment offer potential avenues for greater economic interaction between Belarus and BRICS economies.
For Minsk, participation in BRICS-related diplomacy also provides an opportunity to expand its international economic connections at a time when global trade and supply chains are undergoing significant changes.
India-Belarus Relations
India and Belarus have maintained diplomatic relations for more than three decades, with cooperation extending across areas including trade, pharmaceuticals, machinery, agriculture, education and science and technology.
Belarus has also expressed interest in expanding economic engagement with India and improving opportunities for businesses from both countries.
Ryzhenkov’s presence in New Delhi could therefore provide an additional platform for bilateral discussions alongside the wider BRICS programme.
BRICS Summit in New Delhi
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13 under its 2026 chairship.
The summit is bringing together leaders and senior representatives from the expanded BRICS grouping, while a wider set of partner countries and international organisations are also engaging with the BRICS process.
Discussions are expected to cover economic cooperation, trade and investment, technology, development, global governance and issues affecting countries of the Global South.
The arrival of the Belarusian foreign minister adds to the international diplomatic activity surrounding the summit and reflects the growing interest of countries outside the core membership in engaging with the BRICS-led cooperation framework.
GTNS | NEW DELHI