Lukashenka suggests involving Belarus in defense industry cooperation between Russia and India

Alyaksandr Lukashenka said that Belarus could be fruitfully involved in defense industry cooperation between Russia and India.

Belarus is not a competitor to Russia in this regard, Mr. Lukashenka said in an exclusive interview given to Press Trust of India (PTI) ahead of his state visit to New Delhi, which was to begin on Sunday. "Moscow has already involved us in a number of defense industry projects with India and there are some other projects on the way," the Belarusian leader said.
He noted that the Soviet Union, which had close friendly and brotherly ties with India, helped it acquire military and technological might.

According to PTI, Minsk has offered to share with India laser-optical technology crucial for civilian and defense applications, including in the guidance systems of smart weapons. Belarus would reportedly set up a laser-optical research center in India under an agreement to be signed during Mr. Lukashenka's visit, and India would be training Belarus' information technology experts for a high-tech park in Minsk.

"We have a huge technological potential, much more than our own requirements and we are ready to share it with India," PTI quoted Mr. Lukashenka as saying.

He reportedly noted that strategic relations with nuclear powers — India, China and Russia — are the cornerstone of his country's foreign policy. "Relations with India are the pride of our foreign policy," he said. "I underscore that we are proud of our close and friendly ties with India, dating back to decades and centuries."

He said that Belarus backs India's candidature for permanent membership in the UN Security Council with full veto rights.
Pyotr Rahazhewski, first deputy head of Belarus' State Defense Industry Committee, told reporters in Minsk on Friday that Russia's T-90S main battle tanks supplied to India were equipped with fire control systems from AAT Pelenh (Peleng), a Minsk-based company. According to General Rahazhewski, Pelenh fire control systems would also be supplied for the T-90S tanks that would be assembled in India under Russia's license. India reportedly plans to build 1000 T-90S tanks for its army. The T-90s are replacing India's Russian T-72 tanks in response to Pakistan's purchase of T-80 tanks from Ukraine.