India and Belgium have agreed to significantly deepen their strategic partnership, with defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, advanced technologies and economic engagement emerging as key pillars of the relationship following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in New Delhi.
In a joint statement issued after the talks, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation, setting an ambitious target of doubling bilateral trade over the next five years.
The two sides identified substantial opportunities for collaboration in defence manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, semiconductors, critical minerals, renewable energy, ports and logistics, space and advanced technologies.
Defence and Security Co-operation:
Defence and security emerged as a major component of the renewed partnership, with Belgium expressing solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism and condemning the Pahalgam terror attack.
Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and explore the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, signalling greater institutional coordination in tackling terrorist networks and emerging security threats.
India and Belgium also signed a Letter of Intent to strengthen defence cooperation, covering regular exchanges, training, research and defence-industrial partnerships. The initiative is expected to provide greater momentum to military-to-military engagement as well as cooperation between the defence industries of the two countries.
The two sides also expanded co-operation against transnational security threats through a Memorandum of Understanding between India’s Central Bureau of Investigation and Belgium’s Federal Police to combat transnational organised crime and cybercrime.
The agreements come amid a broader push by India and European partners to strengthen cooperation across traditional and emerging security domains, including cyber security, advanced technologies and defence manufacturing.
Strategic Dialogue and UNSC Reform:
The two leaders welcomed the launch of the India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue, creating a new institutional mechanism for sustained consultations on bilateral, regional and global strategic issues.
India and Belgium also reiterated the importance of reforming the United Nations Security Council. Belgium reaffirmed its support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of a reformed and expanded Security Council.
Expanding Economic and Technology Partnership:
Economic ties are set for a major expansion, with both sides welcoming the growing diversification of bilateral trade. Belgium, the world’s 24th-largest economy, and India, which has set its sights on becoming a $10 trillion economy, identified significant scope for mutually beneficial investment and industrial partnerships.
The two countries welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and called for its timely implementation. They also urged early completion of negotiations on the India-EU Investment Protection Agreement and the Geographical Indications Agreement.
Emerging technologies featured prominently in the discussions, with both sides encouraging greater cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, startups and other advanced technologies.
Energy, Connectivity and Space:
India and Belgium also agreed to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy, including green hydrogen, solar power, energy storage and offshore wind.
The leaders discussed improving connectivity and people-to-people links by expanding visa-processing capacity and exploring the possibility of direct air connectivity between India and Belgium.
Prime Minister Modi invited leading Belgian universities to establish campuses in India, seeking to deepen academic, technological and innovation linkages.
The two leaders also exchanged views on major international developments, including the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, and reaffirmed support for dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred means of resolving conflicts.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Belgium at a mutually convenient time.
The latest agreements mark a broadening of India-Belgium ties beyond trade and investment, with defence, counter-terrorism, technology, energy and strategic coordination emerging as increasingly important components of the bilateral relationship.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building a stronger partnership based on mutual trust, democracy, the rule of law and a shared vision of peace, prosperity and development.
