India, Belgium seek to double bilateral trade in five years, deepen defence and technology ties
By Aroonim Bhuyan
New Delhi, September 3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Belgian counterpart Bart De Wever have agreed to further deepen and diversify India-Belgium relations, with a focus on trade, investment, defence, critical technologies, green energy, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.
The two leaders held extensive bilateral talks in New Delhi on September 3 during De Wever’s first visit to India since assuming office in February 2025. The Belgian Prime Minister is visiting India from September 2 to 4, accompanied by Defence and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken and a high-level delegation of officials and business leaders.
According to a joint statement issued following the bilateral summit, Modi and De Wever highlighted the long-standing foundations of bilateral relations, recalling that more than 9,000 Indian soldiers made the supreme sacrifice in Flanders Fields during the First World War. They also noted that Belgium was among the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with India in 1947. The two sides said their partnership has since expanded on the basis of shared democratic values, mutual trust, economic complementarities and strong people-to-people links.
The leaders welcomed the launch of the inaugural India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue in Brussels in July 2026, describing it as a regular mechanism for cooperation in areas including trade and investment, green transition, technology, connectivity, defence, security and people-to-people ties. They also looked forward to the forthcoming Foreign Office Consultations to advance priorities identified through the dialogue.
Push to expand trade and investment
A key focus of the talks was economic cooperation. India and Belgium expressed their determination to strengthen bilateral trade and investment and set an objective of doubling bilateral trade over the next five years.
The two Prime Ministers pointed to growing diversification in bilateral economic ties and identified opportunities across sectors including semiconductors, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, defence, critical-mineral refining and recycling, sustainable industries and nuclear energy. They also underlined the enduring importance of the diamond trade linking Antwerp with Mumbai and Surat while seeking to develop new areas of economic engagement.
The leaders welcomed the launch of the India-Belgium Investment Fast-Track Mechanism, which is intended to facilitate investments by Belgian companies in India and Indian companies in Belgium, address investment-related bottlenecks and create a more favourable environment for long-term economic cooperation.
They also welcomed efforts by Belgium’s Federal Holding and Investment Company (SFPIM) and India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) to formalise cooperation and help establish an Indo-Belgian economic and investment corridor.
The two sides also highlighted cooperation in ports, logistics, connectivity and dredging, including the potential for collaboration in offshore wind infrastructure. Belgium’s expertise in dredging was recognised as an important contribution to India’s port development.
India-EU FTA to drive economic engagement
Modi and De Wever reaffirmed the importance of the India-EU Strategic Partnership to bilateral relations. They welcomed the conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in January 2026 and called for early completion of negotiations on the EU-India Investment Protection Agreement and the Agreement on Geographical Indications.
The two leaders described the FTA as a historic milestone and called for its timely implementation to expand trade and investment, diversify critical value chains and open new markets. They also welcomed progress under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council and endorsed the Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda for 2030.
Defence cooperation gets a boost
Defence and security emerged as another major pillar of the expanding partnership. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Indian and Belgian defence ministries, providing a framework for regular exchanges, staff talks, education and training, research cooperation and defence-industrial partnerships.
They noted growing cooperation in maritime security, emerging technologies, military exchanges and the Indo-Pacific. Belgium’s frigate LEOPOLD I is scheduled to visit India from November 5 to 8, 2026, while Belgium’s Defence College plans to conduct its World Study Trip 2027 in India. An Indian College of Defence Management delegation is also scheduled to visit Belgium in October 2026.
Belgium has appointed a Defence Attaché in New Delhi, while India plans to appoint a resident Defence Attaché at its embassy in Brussels. The two sides also encouraged greater defence-industrial collaboration in manufacturing, technology, innovation, co-development and co-production.
Joint approach to counter-terrorism
De Wever conveyed Belgium’s solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and reiterated his condemnation of the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
The two countries called for a comprehensive international approach against terrorism and terrorist financing and agreed to explore the establishment of a Belgium-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism to strengthen cooperation against evolving terrorist threats.
India and Belgium also signed a memorandum of understanding between their respective investigative and law-enforcement agencies to enhance cooperation against transnational organised crime and cybercrime, including through information sharing, capacity building and efforts to trace fugitives.
Cooperation in critical and emerging technologies
The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, startups and emerging technologies. They encouraged deeper engagement between India’s micro-electronics ecosystem and Belgian institutions, including semiconductor companies, universities and Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (IMEC) of Belgium.
The leaders also welcomed cooperation between Indian and Belgian startup hubs and supported continued collaboration in incubation, entrepreneurship and digital-skills development.
On energy and climate, the two countries signed a renewed memorandum of understanding on renewable energy cooperation, expanding collaboration in green hydrogen, solar energy, energy storage, offshore wind, bio-energy and small hydropower and pumped-storage projects.
Faster visas, connectivity and education
The two Prime Ministers agreed on the need to improve visa-processing capacity as bilateral travel and exchanges increase. They welcomed the reinforcement of Belgian visa delivery services in India and stressed the importance of greater mobility for skilled professionals, students, researchers and business travellers.
They also encouraged airlines to explore establishing direct air connectivity between India and Belgium. Modi invited leading Belgian universities and academic institutions to establish campuses in India under the National Education Policy.
Support for UNSC reforms
On global governance, the two leaders called for reform of the United Nations system, particularly the UN Security Council, to make it more representative of contemporary global realities. Belgium reaffirmed its support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of a reformed and expanded Security Council.
The two countries also agreed to support each other’s bids for non-permanent membership of the Council, with India seeking the 2028-29 term and Belgium the 2037-38 term.
The two Prime Ministers also discussed the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, reiterating support for dialogue and diplomacy to achieve peace. They stressed the importance of protecting maritime routes and ensuring safe and unhindered shipping.
The talks concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to a partnership based on democracy, the rule of law, human rights, gender equality and a rules-based international order. De Wever also invited Modi to undertake a bilateral visit to Belgium at a mutually convenient time.
