Half of Belarus' population into yoga, says its President

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that half of Belarus' population is into yoga and he is also planning to start the fitness regimen.

Lukashenko said this to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan who is leading an Indian parliamentary goodwill delegation to Belarus, the Lok Sabha secretariat said in a statement here today.

Mahajan met President Lukashenko yesterday and discussed issues of mutual concern.

Sharing his thoughts on the relations between the two countries, the President said yoga has become a rage in Belarus.

"Lukashenko mentioned that he had informed PM Narendra Modi, on the sidelines of SCO meeting in Qindao, that half of Belarus' population is already into yoga and that he himself was planning to start yoga exercises," the statement said.

Stating that India and Belarus are time-tested friends, the Speaker said that the good feelings between the two countries need to be supported by enhancement in commercial and economic cooperation,