Cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of India in Humanitarian Sphere

EDUCATION
Work to develop cooperation in education continues. Ninety-six Indian students are studying at Belarusian universities on a fee-paying basis in the 2024/2025 academic year. Direct inter-university cooperation is also being developed. More than 30 cooperation agreements have been signed between Belarusian and Indian universities.

TOURISM
Since the end of 2019, Belarusian citizens have been able to obtain electronic Indian visas. In February 2022, the official opening of the Belarusian Tourist Information Center, hosted by the travel agency BelIndTravel, took place in New Delhi. Regular direct flights between Minsk and New Delhi with weekly Belavia flights have been inaugurated since August 2023. In 2024, following Air India's ground handling cancellation, the flight will be maintained and a new Indian service provider will be selected. In February 2024, Belarusian tourism industry participants participated in the annual South Asian Leading Travel Show (SATTE) in Noida, India. Tourism exchanges and contacts between Belarusian and Indian tour operators are intensifying.

HEALTHCARE
In 2024, 3,542 Indian citizens received medical care in Belarusian public healthcare institutions, and in 2025, 3,143 Indian citizens received medical care. In 2025 and 2026, children who are Indian citizens received treatment at the Zubrenok National Children's Educational and Health Center, funded by the Belarusian side. There is an ongoing exchange of experience and information in the field of medical care, as well as information on scientific and practical conferences, seminars, and specialized exhibitions, with specialists from Belarus and India invited to participate.

CULTURE
The legal basis for cultural cooperation between Belarus and India is the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation in Culture, Arts, Education, Mass Media, Sports, and Tourism, concluded on May 14, 1993.
To implement the intergovernmental Agreement, cooperation programs in culture, arts, and education are regularly developed between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Republic of India.
In August 2014, Days of Indian Culture were held in Belarus. In January 2017, Days of Belarusian Culture were held in India.
The two countries exchange musical and artistic groups and participate in film festivals.
In 2014, Belarus co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution initiated by India on the annual celebration of International Yoga Day on June 21. Since 2015, International Yoga Day has been celebrated annually at the Gorky Central Children's Park in Minsk. Contacts are developing in the area of ​​youth movement. On October 21, 2017, a Plan of Joint Activities in Youth Policy for 2018-2019 was signed at the XIX World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi.
In April 2017, 60 schoolchildren from India took part in the 25th European International Creativity Competition at the National Children's Educational and Health Center “Zubrenok.”
In August 2019, 13 Indian children were accepted for recreation and recuperation at the National Children's Educational and Health Center “Zubrenok,” funded by the Belarusian side. A similar gesture of goodwill was planned for 2020, but restrictions on international air travel prevented this. In the fourth quarter of 2020, an Indian film crew participated in the preparation and filming of a feature film, tentatively titled “Squad,” at the Belarusfilm National Film Studio.
On July 10, 2020, an Indian Culture Room was opened at the Faculty of Sociocultural Communications of the Belarusian State University.
Musical and artistic group exchanges and mutual participation in film festivals are regularly held.
From May 11-16, 2024, the first-ever Belarusian-Indian Film Festival in the history of bilateral relations was held in Mumbai. The festival program featured three Belarusian films (“Filmmakers,” “On the Other Shore,” and “Waiting List”) and three Indian films. Following the festival, the Indian side decided to continue screening the Belarusian films in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Pune. The films are expected to be shown in 2025.
From June 15-21, 2024, the Belarusian delegation took part in the 18th International Film Festival (Mumbai).
A representative Indian delegation took part in the 30th Minsk International Film Festival “Listapad” (Minsk, November 1-8, 2024) as contestants and jury members.
The Belarusian delegation took part in the 55th International Film Festival of India (November 20-28, 2024, Panaji, Goa).
As part of the festival, the Belarusian delegation took part in the work of the Belarusian pavilion, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Belarusian cinema, was part of the “Film Bazaar 2024” segment. During this film forum, the world premiere of “Black Castle” took place in the “From Consulates 2024” segment of the “Gala Premiere” section.