·
Prime Minister
Narendra Modi
and Belgian PM Bart De Wever
held bilateral talks during De Wever’s 2–4
September 2026 visit to India.
·
Both sides
agreed to further deepen cooperation in trade,
investment, defence, technology, energy and people-to-people ties.
·
The leaders
welcomed the India-EU Free
Trade Agreement concluded in January 2026 and called for its timely implementation.
·
India and
Belgium aim to double bilateral
trade over the next five years and expand cooperation across pharmaceuticals,
healthcare, semiconductors, chemicals, defence, critical minerals, manufacturing
and digital technologies.
·
A new India-Belgium Investment Fast-Track Mechanism
was launched to facilitate investments, resolve bottlenecks and support businesses
in both countries.
·
India’s
NIIF and Belgium’s
SFPIM are working
towards establishing an Indo-Belgian
economic and investment corridor.
·
Defence
cooperation will be strengthened through a Letter of Intent, covering defence exchanges,
training, research, emerging technologies and defence-industrial partnerships.
·
Both countries
agreed to explore a Joint Working
Group on Counter-Terrorism and reaffirmed cooperation against terrorism
and terrorist financing.
·
A renewed
MoU on Renewable Energy Cooperation
will expand collaboration in green
hydrogen, solar, energy storage, offshore wind, bio-energy and pumped storage.
·
India and
Belgium will deepen cooperation in semiconductors,
AI, space technology and startups, including collaboration between
Indian institutions and Belgium’s imec.
·
Maritime
cooperation will receive greater focus, including ports, logistics, connectivity, dredging
and offshore wind infrastructure.
·
Both sides
welcomed increased visa-processing
capacity, skilled-worker mobility and student/researcher exchanges,
and encouraged direct air connectivity between India and Belgium.
·
Belgium
reaffirmed support for India’s
permanent membership of a reformed UN Security Council; both countries
will support each other’s non-permanent UNSC bids.
·
The two
leaders also discussed Ukraine,
West Asia, maritime security and global peace, reaffirming support
for dialogue and diplomacy.
·
Prime Minister
De Wever invited Prime Minister
Modi to visit Belgium at a mutually convenient time.
[ABS News Service/03.09.2026]
At the invitation of the Prime Minister
of India, Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Mr.
Bart De Wever, is on an official visit to India from 2-4 September 2026. The Prime
Minister of Belgium is accompanied by Belgium's Minister of Defence and Foreign
Trade, H.E. Mr. Theo Francken, and a high-level delegation of officials and business
leaders. This is Prime Minister De Wever's first visit to India since taking office
in February 2025.
Prime Minister De Wever began his visit
by paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Prime Minister De Wever then held
bilateral talks with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, first in a restricted
format and later with their respective delegations. Their discussions ranged across
the full length and breadth of the relationship between the two countries. Prime
Minster Modi hosted a luncheon for Prime Minister De Wever and the visiting delegation.
The two leaders recalled the supreme sacrifice
of more than 9,000 Indian soldiers in the Flanders Fields during the First World
War. The two leaders also recalled that Belgium was among the first European countries
to establish diplomatic relations with India in 1947. They noted that the partnership
has since flourished on the foundations of shared democratic values, mutual trust,
economic complementarities, and strong people-to-people ties. The leaders expressed
their desire for further expanding and deepening this multifaceted relationship.
The 80th anniversary of Belgium-India diplomatic relations in 2027 will give India
and Belgium another historical occasion to celebrate the deepening and broadening
of the bilateral relationship.
Both leaders welcomed the launch of the
inaugural India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue in Brussels on 15 July 2026, co-chaired
by External Affairs Minister of India and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Belgium. Anchored in the wider India-EU Strategic Partnership,
they noted that the Dialogue has established a regular and comprehensive mechanism
to advance cooperation across trade and investment, green transition, technology,
connectivity, defence, security, and people-to-people ties. In this context, they
welcomed the forthcoming Foreign Office Consultations as a key platform for advancing
the priorities identified under the Strategic Dialogue.
The two leaders reiterated their call
for reformed and effective multilateralism, with the United Nations Charter at its
center, to sustain an equitable and peaceful international
order, address pressing global challenges and prepare the world for emerging developments,
including in the technological and economic domains. The two leaders stressed, in
particular, the urgent need for the reform of the United Nations Security Council
in order to make it more representative of today’s world. Belgium reaffirmed its
support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of a reformed and expanded
United Nations Security Council. Both countries agreed to support each other's candidature
for non permanent membership of the UN Security Council,
India for the 2028-29 term and Belgium for the 2037-2038 term.
India-EU Strategic Partnership and the
Free Trade Agreement
The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the
centrality of the India-EU Strategic Partnership to India-Belgium relations. They
welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement
during the India-EU Summit on 27 January 2026 and called for the conclusion of the
negotiations on the EU-India Investment Protection Agreement and the Agreement on
Geographical Indications at the earliest opportunity, with a view to further strengthening
economic ties between India and the European Union.
Hailing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement
as a historic milestone in the strategic partnership, the Leaders called for its
timely implementation for realising the true potential for trade and investment
collaboration through diversifying critical value chains and opening new markets.
The two Prime Ministers welcomed the significant
progress made under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council, including its Ministerial
Meeting held in Brussels in July 2026 towards forging a more integrated, resilient,
and sustainable economic and technological partnership when trade and technologies
are becoming increasingly intertwined. In this context, they reaffirmed their commitment
to further strengthening co-operation among India, Belgium, and the European Union
on trade, technology, economic security, and resilient supply chains.
Both sides also endorsed the Joint India–EU
Comprehensive Strategic Agenda for 2030, aimed to further reinforce the strategic
partnership by broadening and deepening India-EU cooperation, to deliver mutually
beneficial, concrete and transformative outcomes for both partners and for the wider
world. They also noted that signing of the India-EU Security and Defence Partnership
will deepen strategic cooperation in areas of shared interests, including maritime
security, defence industry and technology, cyber and hybrid threats, space and counter-terrorism.
Trade, Economic Cooperation and Investment
With Belgium as the 24th biggest economy
in the world, and India's ambition to become a USD 10 trillion economy in the coming
years, both leaders acknowledged abundant opportunities for mutually beneficial
partnerships. Recognising the strong complementarities between their economies,
the two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to deepening trade, investment
and economic cooperation. In this context, they welcomed the steady expansion of
bilateral economic ties and the growing diversification of sectors in bilateral
trade, and expressed their determination to further strengthen cooperation across
key sectors of shared interest, with a view to enabling the doubling of bilateral
trade in the next 5 years.
The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction
the successful Belgian Economic Mission to India in March 2025, led by Her Royal
Highness Princess Astrid. They recognized the Mission as an important milestone
in advancing bilateral economic engagement, fostering new partnerships between businesses
and institutions, including an exchange on economic empowerment of women, and expanding
cooperation in priority sectors, such as life sciences, pharmaceuticals and healthcare,
energy and renewable energy, defence, aeronautics and space, logistics, transport
and ports, cleantech and green engineering, chemistry, advanced materials and manufacturing,
digital technologies and innovation. In this regard, they noted the strong potential
of the India-Belgium partnership in the life sciences sector, building on the complementary
strengths of both countries in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, clinical research,
innovation and advanced healthcare solutions, and encouraged closer collaboration
between industry, academia and research institutions. Both leaders agreed to keep
this momentum alive through regular high-level exchanges, including with Belgium's
regional trade and investment agencies.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction
at the growth and diversification of bilateral economic ties and welcomed expanding
cooperation in areas such as semiconductors, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, defence
industrial collaboration, critical minerals refining and recycling, sustainable
industries, and nuclear energy, including by exploring emerging opportunities for
cooperation involving private sector stakeholders. The two leaders further acknowledged
the enduring importance of the diamond trade linking Antwerp with Mumbai and Surat
and agreed to further strengthen this historic partnership while pursuing new avenues
for economic engagement and shared growth.
They underlined the strategic importance
of maritime and port cooperation between the two countries and welcomed opportunities
to deepen collaboration in port development, logistics, connectivity, dredging and
offshore wind infrastructure. In this context, they welcomed the planned participation
of the Flemish Minister of Mobility and Ports, Annick De Ridder, to “Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue” in New Delhi in October
2026. They also welcomed the prospect for enhanced cooperation between APEC (the
Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Centre) and India's Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority
(JNPA), particularly in areas of training needs identification and capacity building
for officers and employees at all levels of management across the Indian port sector
in particular and the maritime sector more broadly. They further acknowledged the
continued contribution of Belgian dredging expertise to the development of India's
port infrastructure and its potential role in supporting offshore renewable energy
projects.
The two Prime Ministers welcomed the deepening
cooperation between India and Belgium in research and higher education, including
in astronomy, astrophysics and space technologies through the Belgo-Indian Network
for Astronomy and Astrophysics (BINA). They also noted Belgium's contribution to
several landmark astronomical facilities in India, including the Devasthal Optical Telescope, the Devasthal
International Liquid Mirror Telescope, the Mount Abu Telescope and the Multi-Application
Solar Telescope in Udaipur, reflecting the strength of bilateral scientific collaboration.
The two leaders welcomed the launch of
the India-Belgium Investment Fast-Track Mechanism and recognized it as an important
step towards further strengthening bilateral investment ties. They noted that the
mechanism will serve as a dedicated platform to facilitate and expand both Belgian
investments in India and Indian investments in Belgium, support businesses, address
investment bottlenecks, and foster a more conducive environment for long-term economic
cooperation between the two countries.
The two leaders also welcomed the ongoing
engagement between the Federal Holding and Investment Company (SFPIM), Belgium’s
Sovereign Wealth Fund and India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).
They looked forward to formalising the collaboration between SFPIM-NIIF to help
establish the Indo-Belgian economic and investment corridor. They also welcomed
the contribution of the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO
Invest) and agreed to explore potential cooperation between BIO Invest and NIIF
in areas of mutual interest.
The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the
importance of the India-Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) Joint Economic
Commission as a key mechanism for advancing bilateral economic cooperation and looked
forward to its 19th Session later this year.
Defence and Security Cooperation
Prime Minister Bart De Wever conveyed
Belgium's solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism, including cross-border
terrorism. He once again condemned the terrorist attack on innocent civilians in
Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, India in April 2025. Both leaders underscored their
commitment to a comprehensive/global approach to counterterrorism and affirmed that
terrorism, in any form and manifestation and anywhere, could never be justified,
and called for its perpetrators to be held accountable in accordance with international
law. They agreed that the international community must act together, against terrorists
and terrorist entities including those designated by the UNSC 1267 sanctions regime,
terrorist networks, their safe havens and their financing, including through the
UN and FATF. The leaders called for strengthened international cooperation in preventing
and combating terrorism, including through sanctions mechanisms at the national,
regional and international levels. In this context, they expressed their intention
to explore the establishment of a Belgium-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism
with a view to enhancing bilateral cooperation in addressing evolving terrorist
threats.
On defence cooperation, the two Prime
Ministers welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent between the two Ministries
of Defence, establishing a framework for regular exchanges, staff talks, education
and training, research cooperation, and defence-industrial partnerships. They noted
that the agreement builds upon the understanding reached between the Defence Ministers
of India and Belgium in March 2025 to institutionalize and further strengthen bilateral
defence cooperation. The two leaders welcomed the steadily deepening engagement
between the two defence establishments on maritime security, emerging technologies,
education and military exchanges, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. In this context,
they welcomed the planned visit of Belgian Frigate LEOPOLD I to India from 5 to
8 November 2026, the intention of the Belgian Defence College to organise its World
Study Trip 2027 in India and the study tour by College of Defence Management, Secunderabad to Belgium in October 2026, as concrete opportunities
to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two defence establishments.
They also welcomed the appointment of
a Defence Attache by Belgium in New Delhi and welcomed India's decision to appoint
a resident Defence Attache in the Indian Embassy in Brussels in the near future.
The two leaders welcomed the steadily deepening engagement between the two defence
establishments on maritime security, emerging technologies, and cooperation in the
Indo-Pacific.
The two Prime Ministers welcomed the growing
defence-industrial cooperation between India and Belgium and noted that such partnerships
were further strengthened during the Belgian Economic Mission to India in March
2025. Recognising the potential for further collaboration in defence manufacturing,
technology, innovation, co-development and co-production, both leaders welcomed
the signing of the multiple agreements and partnerships between the Belgian and
Indian defence industries, and encouraged the industries on both sides to remain
engaged.
The two leaders also noted the ongoing
cooperation between the Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres and the Centre for Armed
Forces Historical Research (CAFHR) in New Delhi, contributing to preserving and
promoting the shared historical legacy of India and Belgium.
The two Prime Ministers welcomed the signing
of the MoU between the Central Bureau of Investigation of India and the Federal
Police of Belgium on cooperation in combating transnational organized crime, cybercrime,
and related matters. They noted that the MoU would strengthen institutional linkages,
facilitate information sharing, promote capacity building and the exchange of best
practices, enhance cooperation in tracing fugitives, and deepen bilateral law enforcement
cooperation in combating transnational organized crime, cybercrime, and related
matters.
Green Transition, Emerging Technologies,
Healthcare Cooperation and Startups
The two Prime Ministers welcomed the signing
of the renewed MoU on Renewable Energy Cooperation between India and Belgium. They
noted that the renewed MoU builds upon the cooperation established under the 2015
framework and the work of the Joint Working Group on Renewable Energy, and expands
collaboration in key areas including green hydrogen, solar energy, energy storage,
offshore wind energy, bio-energy, small hydropower and pumped storage plants.
The two countries welcomed the growing
collaboration between India and Belgium in the field of green hydrogen, including
industrial partnerships and knowledge exchange. They acknowledged cooperation under
the Memorandum of Understanding between GH2 India, the Belgian Hydrogen Council,
and Flanders Investment & Trade, as well as the active participation of Indian
officials in the Egmont Institute's green hydrogen exchange programme in Brussels
and reciprocal visits by government, industry, and research representatives from
both countries. The leaders underscored the important role of India and Belgium
in strengthening the green hydrogen value chain, including production, transportation,
storage, and end-use applications, with a view to advancing decarbonisation, fostering
innovation, enhancing energy security, and promoting sustainable economic growth.
Belgium and India reaffirm their commitment
to the Paris Agreement its long-term goals, including the temperature goal, and
its principles, including equity and common but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances. They
support a successful COP31 that advances implementation and results in enhanced
action on the ground. They recognise that enhanced climate action, particularly
in developing countries, is enabled by mobilising adequate, predictable and accessible
climate finance from all sources, development and dissemination climate technologies
and capacity-building, and underscore the importance of strengthening international
cooperation in these areas. The two sides commit to strengthening climate adaptation,
resilience and disaster preparedness. They further recognise the vital role of oceans
and coastal ecosystems in supporting climate resilience, sustainable development
and the well-being of coastal communities. Recognising the importance of strengthened
ocean governance as a component of sustainable development and climate resilience,
they underscored the importance of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction
(BBNJ) Agreement and broader international cooperation in maritime affairs.
The two leaders encouraged engagements
between the Indian micro-electronics ecosystem, including semiconductor companies,
ChipIn Centre, C-DAC, universities, and imec, Belgium. They expressed their support for these interactions
to develop into deeper partnerships in semiconductor technologies, thereby contributing
to the creation of resilient and advanced technology ecosystems in both countries.
The two leaders welcomed the participation
of the Minister-President of the Government of Flanders in the AI Impact Summit
hosted by India, noting that the visit underscored the growing importance of cooperation
in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and innovation.
Both sides welcomed cooperation in the
areas of startup incubation. In this regard, they agreed to continue collaboration
between the MEITY Start Up Hub and Hub Brussels, as well as other startup hubs and
skilling centers, fostering startup ecosystems, driven
by supporting innovation-driven entrepreneurship, and enhancing digital skills development.
Connectivity, Mobility, Education, Culture
and People-to-People Ties
Both leaders recognized the importance
of underpinning people-to-people ties and connectivity with efficient visa services.
In this context, they recognized the need for smooth and quick processing. As exchanges
between India and Belgium are intensifying, visa processing capacity by diplomatic
missions in Belgium and India will significantly increase. Given the specific need,
both leaders welcomed the ongoing reinforcement of the Belgian visa delivery services
in India.
Welcoming the signing of the EU MoU on
Comprehensive Framework of Cooperation on Mobility and the launch of a pilot European
Union Legal Gateway Office in India, the Leaders noted its role in promoting legal
pathways for movement of professionals, skilled workforce and students and strengthen
people-to-people ties between India and the EU. They agreed that as trade, investment,
and people-to-people ties continue to grow, enhanced mobility of skilled professionals,
students, researchers, and business travelers would be
essential. Both leaders underscored the importance of strengthening connectivity
and encouraged airline operators to explore the establishment of direct air connectivity
between Belgium and India. They welcomed the ongoing cooperation between Belgian
healthcare institutions and India in the healthcare sector, including initiatives
facilitating the mobility of qualified nurses from India to Belgium, as well as
the broader and thriving civil society cooperation between Belgium and India in
the fields of healthcare and education. They encouraged continued discussions towards
the signing of an MoU on Mobility and Migration.
Recalling the numerous academic partnerships
formed during the Belgian Economic Mission, Prime Minister Modi invited leading
Belgian Universities and premier academic institutions to open campuses in India
under the New Education Policy of India. The two leaders encouraged the relevant
authorities, institutions and industry stakeholders of both countries to explore
cooperation between the skill development and Technical and Vocational Education
and Training (TVET) ecosystems of India and Belgium, including through exchange
of best practices, industry-responsive training, capacity building of trainers and
assessors, apprenticeships and work-based learning, cooperation in emerging and
future skills, and dialogue on the alignment and recognition of qualifications,
with a view to enhancing employability and supporting mutually beneficial mobility
of skilled professionals. The leaders also acknowledged the contribution of the
Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) in promoting research cooperation,
innovation, and knowledge exchange with Indian partners. They welcomed cooperation
between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, and the Federal Public Service
Foreign Affairs of Belgium in diplomatic training.
International Issues
The two Prime Ministers also exchanged
views on major international developments, including recent developments in Ukraine
and in West Asia. Regarding the war in Ukraine, both sides reaffirmed their support
for efforts towards the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace through
dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations
Charter and international law. On West Asia, they discussed recent developments
of concern in the region and underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomatic
engagement to address challenges in a peaceful manner. They also stressed the importance
of ensuring the safety and security of maritime routes and of maintaining safe and
unimpeded maritime shipping.
The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their
shared commitment to further deepening and diversifying the India-Belgium Partnership,
guided by mutual trust and a shared vision for peace, prosperity, and development.
They agreed that the expanding bilateral partnership shall continue to be guided
by a shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights,
gender equality, and a rules-based international order. Building on these foundations,
they expressed confidence that the India-Belgium Partnership would continue to deliver
tangible benefits for both peoples and the world and also contribute to strengthening
collaboration between India and Europe in addressing shared global challenges.
In the context of the deepening and diversification
of the India-Belgium partnership and the increasing India-Europe engagements and
India-EU ties, Prime Minister Bart De Wever extended an invitation to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi to undertake a bilateral visit to Belgium, at a mutually convenient
time.