Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India-Belgium relations have expanded beyond traditional areas such as the diamond trade into strategic sectors including defence, clean energy, critical minerals and semiconductors, as the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation across multiple areas.
Addressing a joint press statement after his talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, PM Modi said the partnership between the two countries had made “remarkable progress” over the past decade and was entering a new phase.
Highlighting the growing defence partnership, PM Modi said India and Belgium would enhance military exchanges and training cooperation. Agreements between the two governments and defence industries are expected to create new opportunities for defence co-development and co-production.
The two sides will also strengthen intelligence sharing and cooperation between their agencies to combat crime, he said.
PM Modi said the scope of bilateral cooperation had expanded to advanced defence equipment, including the Zorawar tank, while India and Belgium are also collaborating on clean energy projects. A major green ammonia project is being developed in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.
Focus on clean energy, critical minerals
The Prime Minister said a clean energy future and reliable supply chains were shared priorities for India and Belgium.
A memorandum of understanding on renewable energy signed during the talks is expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation in the sector. The two countries have also decided to strengthen cooperation in the processing and recycling of critical minerals.
India and Belgium will further explore cooperation in semiconductors by connecting Belgium’s IMEC institute with India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. PM Modi said Belgium’s technological expertise and India’s scale offered complementary strengths in the strategic sector.
Push to double bilateral trade
PM Modi highlighted the economic opportunities emerging from India’s sustained growth and the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement concluded earlier this year.
He said India had recorded 7.8 per cent economic growth in the latest quarter, adding that the country’s growth story was becoming a source of confidence and new opportunities for the world.
To facilitate greater investment from Belgium, India has established an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism for Belgian companies. The India-Belgium Business Forum will also be made a regular mechanism, while coordination between financial, fintech and regulatory institutions of the two countries will be strengthened.
“These initiatives” will help India and Belgium realise the goal of doubling bilateral trade over the next five years, PM Modi said.
Start-ups, research and mobility
The two countries also agreed to strengthen links between their start-up ecosystems and enhance capacity-building cooperation in the maritime sector.
PM Modi said India and Belgium would deepen university and research collaboration. The two sides are also expected to conclude a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement soon to facilitate talent mobility between the two countries.
Shared position on global issues
The Prime Minister said India and Belgium had also discussed regional and global developments and shared a commitment to the rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy.
On conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, PM Modi said both countries supported efforts for an early end to hostilities and restoration of peace. He also stressed that eliminating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations remained a shared commitment.
PM Modi recalled the historical ties between the two countries, including the sacrifice of thousands of Indian soldiers in Belgium during the First World War. He said democratic values, market economies and strong people-to-people ties continued to make India and Belgium natural partners.
Referring to the longstanding India-Belgium diamond trade, PM Modi said the historic connection was now being transformed into a broader partnership covering defence, technology, energy and other strategic sectors.
He expressed confidence that the latest discussions would mark the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral relations.
