Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov visited New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit in September 2026. Belarus, an official BRICS partner country, wants full membership and counts on India’s support. In an interview with Gateway House’s Ajay Kamalakaran, Minsk’s envoy to India Ambassador Mikhail Kasko, outlines how Belarus hopes to deepen bilateral ties with India, from pharma to technology transfer, assembly plants, student exchanges and tourism.

Russia marked 22 per cent growth in trade with China in the first half of 2026, putting it on track for a record-breaking year. Three decades of growth have made China indispensable to Moscow, while sanctions-evasion networks have eased Russia’s isolation and increased dependence on Beijing. Wary of over-reliance, Russia has pivoted towards India and Africa since 2022, but these ties are unlikely to replace China.

Russia-China ties have come a long way from the tensions of the Cold War. Since Russia’s relationship with the West began deteriorating in 2008, China has emerged as a counterweight, with growing economic and cultural ties. In 2026, 83% of Russians viewed China favourably, while bilateral trade grew 22%. This relationship seems rock-solid, and even a thaw with the West is unlikely to alter its course.