Belarus seeks deeper BRICS engagement and stronger India ties in push for a multipolar order

Source: The Economic Times | Original Published At: 2026-05-15 04:45:00 UTC

Key Points

• Belarus says becoming a BRICS partner state in 2024 was a milestone and that its near-term priority is full membership when expansion allows.
• Belarus presented BRICS as a key platform for Global South coordination, multipolarity, and practical cooperation in politics, security, trade, and technology.
• Minsk said it wants to join the New Development Bank and support BRICS financial and settlement mechanisms to strengthen trade and investment cooperation.
• Belarus and India reported growing bilateral engagement, including diplomatic consultations and an intergovernmental commission meeting planned for late May 2026.
• Priority India-Belarus cooperation areas cited include agriculture and fertilizers, electric public transport, manufacturing localization, pharmaceuticals, logistics, education, and cultural exchange.
• Belarus supported faster progress on a proposed India-EAEU free trade agreement, saying it could reduce trade barriers and increase bilateral and regional turnover.