Belgian PM's first India visit to deepen trade and strategic ties

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi as part of a three-day India visit that marks his first trip to the country since assuming office in February 2025.

The bilateral talks will focus on expanding cooperation across trade, investment, security and technology sectors, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. De Wever will also address a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event during his stay in the capital.

Mumbai Engagements and Industry Focus

Following the Delhi meetings, the Belgian Prime Minister will travel to Mumbai where he is scheduled to meet stakeholders from the diamond industry, port operations and logistics sectors. The visit aims to strengthen the India-Belgium partnership and deepen ties between India and the European Union, the Ministry stated.

Three-Century Diplomatic Legacy

India and Belgium share a historical relationship spanning more than 300 years. Belgium was among the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with independent India in September 1947.

Belgium has emerged as an important economic partner for India in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $13.01 billion in 2025-26. Diamond trade forms a significant component of commerce between the two nations.

Investment and Strategic Dialogue

Belgian foreign direct investment into India totalled approximately $4.2 billion between April 2000 and December 2025. In July, both countries launched a ministerial-level strategic dialogue, providing a new institutional platform to boost bilateral cooperation and discuss global issues.

Defence Cooperation Expands

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with his Belgian counterpart Theo Francken, emphasizing the potential to expand the partnership amid global geopolitical and economic upheaval. Singh noted that meeting friends and partners like Belgium offers a valuable opportunity for exchanging ideas and perspectives during such times.

Francken praised India's technological capabilities and called for strengthening the partnership. "You are a high-technology country. You are one of the most populous countries. We really need to work together because Belgium is an old Western European country with a lot of technology. But we need countries like India," he stated.

The Belgian Defence Minister recalled sending the country's largest-ever economic mission to India in March 2025 with Princess Astrid, describing it as the first step toward "mutual, new friendship and relations". He noted that cooperation project contracts have been signed within 18 months of that visit.

Emerging Technology Partnerships

Collaboration is expanding in renewable energy and clean technology, with a Belgian company establishing an electrolyzer manufacturing facility in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. As Europe's major maritime and logistics hub, Belgium offers significant opportunities for cooperation in port operations, shipping and supply chain sectors.

Last year's visit by Princess Astrid resulted in approximately 40 agreements signed under the Economic Mission to India. The evolving partnership now extends beyond traditional trade and diamond industry ties into strategic and security domains.