The volume of Belarusian exports to India has surged one-and-a-half times over the past five years, from USD 268 million to USD 404 million, buoyed by sales of potash fertilizers, large-capacity mining dump trucks, chemicals, tyre cords, fiberglass, processed leather, bearings, wood products, among others. During this period the quantum of imports by Belarus from India has also gone up 1.3 times to USD 171 million. The imported items include medicines, seafood, sundry chemicals, rice, coffee, tea, among others. Overall, as of 2020, the volume of Belarus-India bilateral trade stands at USD 575 million.

Also in March 2020, the first Belarusian-Indian Investment Forum was held in New Delhi. There were representatives of nine Belarusian companies and over 70 Indian firms. At around the same time the 10th meeting of the Belarusian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission on cooperation in the field of trade, economy, science, technology and culture took place.

In the magazine we’ve an article by Mr Chanravyn Burenbayar, Minister Counsellor in the Embassy of Mongolia in New Delhi, on the continuity of Mongolia’s peace-loving, open, independent and multi-aligned foreign policy outlined by the nation’s new President H.E. Mr Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. He took oath as Mongolia’s sixth President on June 25, 2021. It followed a resounding win at the presidential elections, the eighth since the nation’s transition to a democratic, free-market economy in 1990.

Mr Atul Keshap is the new Charge d’ Affaires at the US Embassy in New Delhi. He shares old connections with India. His mother who was in the US Foreign Service was posted at the American Embassy in New Delhi between 1958 and 1960. Mr Keshap himself had served earlier in the US Embassy in New Delhi, and as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia.

In this issue of the magazine there is a surfeit of stories, on a variety of subjects. Hope your surfing is well rewarded.

(sayantanc@gmail.com)