New Delhi, 03 September (H.S.): India and Belgium have agreed to double bilateral trade over the next five years. Following talks between the leaders of the two countries on Thursday, agreements were reached on 10 key areas, with defence cooperation emerging as the most significant. The two sides signed an agreement to acquire advanced technology and expertise under European defence supply chains, promote defence production, technological development and co-production in India, and encourage investment in defence innovation.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, an agreement was reached between the Belgian Defence and Security Industry Association (BDSI) and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM). The two sides also agreed to appoint a resident Defence Attaché at the Embassy of India in Brussels in the near future. A mechanism will be established to accelerate investment in India, which is expected to facilitate substantial investment from Belgium. India and Belgium have also agreed to institutionalise their business forum, which will help businesses from both countries explore commercial opportunities in Belgium and the wider European market.

India and Belgium will establish a Consular Dialogue to facilitate the movement of students, professionals, travellers and businesspeople. The two countries also reached an agreement on renewable energy. An agreement on cooperation between the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Belgium's Federal Police was signed to address cases relating to organised crime, international cybercrime and other criminal activities. The two sides also reached an agreement concerning the training of political leaders.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is on an official visit to India from September 2 to 4. He is accompanied by Belgium's Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade, Theo Francken, as well as a high-level delegation comprising senior officials and business leaders. This is Prime Minister De Wever's first visit to India since assuming office in February 2025.

Prime Minister De Wever began his visit on Thursday by paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. He subsequently held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, first in a restricted format and later at the delegation level. Their discussions covered all aspects of bilateral relations. Prime Minister Modi also hosted a lunch for Prime Minister De Wever and his accompanying delegation.

According to the joint statement issued after the talks, Belgium reiterated its support for India's candidature for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council following its reform and expansion. The two countries also expressed mutual support for each other's candidature for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Prime Minister Modi invited leading Belgian universities and premier academic institutions to establish campuses in India under the country's new education policy.

Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed 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 and Kashmir, in April 2025. He expressed a willingness to explore the establishment of a Belgium-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism Affairs with the objective of enhancing bilateral cooperation to address evolving terrorist threats.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the development and diversification of bilateral economic relations. They welcomed growing cooperation in areas including semiconductors, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, defence industrial cooperation, the refining and recycling of critical minerals, sustainable industries and nuclear energy, including the exploration of new opportunities for collaboration with private-sector stakeholders. The two leaders also welcomed ongoing discussions between Belgium's sovereign wealth fund, the Federal Holding and Investment Company, and India's National Investment and Infrastructure Fund. They expressed hope that this cooperation would be formalised to help establish an Indo-Belgian Economic and Investment Corridor.

The two prime ministers also exchanged views on major international developments, including recent developments in Ukraine and West Asia. With regard to the war in Ukraine, both sides reiterated their support for efforts to achieve comprehensive, just and lasting peace through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. On West Asia, they discussed the concerning recent developments in the region and emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomatic engagement to resolve challenges peacefully. They also stressed the importance of ensuring the safety and security of maritime routes and maintaining safe and uninterrupted maritime shipping.

Prime Minister Bart De Wever invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to undertake a bilateral visit to Belgium at a mutually convenient time.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar