Ambassador of India: first regional visit to Vitebsk
As the new head of the Indian diplomatic mission, Mr. Jha recently took office and chose Vitebsk region for his first regional visit. Our region has long-standing contacts with the South Asian state. Strong trade relations have been established, and cooperation in the educational sphere is developing – for over 20 years, Vitebsk State Medical University has been training Indian youth. As Nikolai Sherstnev noted, it is important not only to strengthen the interaction between VSMU and Indian partners but also to expand educational contacts in other areas.
For example, the head of the region drew the diplomat's attention to the potential of Vitebsk Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Polotsk State University, which are ready to offer specialist training programs relevant to the Indian economy. As for the economic sphere in general, Vitebsk region is interested not only in increasing mutual trade turnover but also in creating joint ventures and industrial cooperation. The potential of the FEZ "Vitebsk", whose administration the diplomat will visit during his trip on September 28, can be used for this purpose.
The head of the Indian diplomatic mission paid tribute to the industrial potential of Vitebsk region, which is also well-known as a leading educational center, and supported the initiative of the head of the region to include other universities of the region in the orbit of bilateral ties. As for the economy, he proposed to concentrate efforts on the implementation of one or two projects in areas of mutual interest. Their successful development will be the best advertisement for stimulating the arrival of Indian business in Vitebsk region, Alok Ranjan Jha is confident.
The Indian diplomat also focused on the development of cultural contacts. A preliminary discussion has already taken place regarding the participation of Indian representatives in three projects in collaboration with the City Culture Center of the regional center. Alok Ranjan Jha hopes that Indian creative groups will become permanent participants of the international festival "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk". It is important to promote cooperation in other cultural initiatives as well. Nikolai Sherstnev recalled the huge potential of the tourism industry. Concluding the meeting, the head of the region expressed confidence that Alok Ranjan Jha will visit the Vitebsk region more often, which will allow for a more detailed elaboration of promising areas of interaction.