Pranab Mukherjee meets Belarus President AG Lukashenko, discusses bilateral ties

MINSK: President Pranab Mukherjee today met his Belarusian counterpart and discussed a host of issues like boosting trade ties and co-operation in the field of mining and education, marking the first state visit by an Indian head of state to this east European country.

The President, who arrived here late last night on a two-day visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the majestic Palace of Independence by Belarusian President AG Lukashenko.

After the ceremony, Mukherjee had a one-to-one meeting with Lukashenko.

During the talks with Lukashenko, the President discussed a host of issues which included increasing trade ties between the two countries besides boosting co-operation in the field of mining, education and heavy machinery.

Later, the two Presidents witnessed signing ceremony of several agreements and Memorandum of Understandings, including agreements between Securities and Exchange Board of India ( SEBI) and Ministry of Finance, Bureau of Indian Standards as well as between Prasar Bharti and National State Televisions.

This is the first Presidential visit from India to Belarus. Belarus President had visited India twice in 1997 and 2007.

During his visit, Mukherjee will be unveiling a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Belarusian State University where he will be awarded an honourary degree.

The President will also inaugurate a refurbished power project for which the work has been done by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited ( BHEL).

During the visit, MoUs and agreements will be signed between public sector undertakings as well as at the government-level covering different sectors, including textile, power and education.