New Delhi, Sept 3: India and Belgium agreed to deepen trade, investment and defence cooperation and set a goal of doubling bilateral trade over the next five years, during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s first official visit to India since taking office.
De Wever, who took office in February 2025, is visiting India from Sept. 2-4 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is accompanied by Defence and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken and a delegation of officials and business leaders.
The two leaders welcomed what they described as the steady expansion and diversification of economic ties and identified opportunities in sectors including pharmaceuticals, life sciences, semiconductors, chemicals, defence, critical minerals, renewable energy, logistics and advanced manufacturing.
India and Belgium also welcomed the launch of an India-Belgium Investment Fast-Track Mechanism, aimed at facilitating investments in both directions and addressing business and investment bottlenecks.
The two sides said they looked forward to formalising cooperation between Belgium’s sovereign wealth fund SFPIM and India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund to help establish an Indo-Belgian economic and investment corridor.
The leaders also reaffirmed the importance of the India-Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union Joint Economic Commission and said they looked forward to its 19th session later this year.
Defence and security
The two countries agreed to expand defence cooperation, including in maritime security, emerging technologies, military education and defence industrial partnerships.
The two defence ministries signed a Letter of Intent providing a framework for regular exchanges, staff talks, education and training, research cooperation and defence-industrial partnerships.
Belgium also said it would appoint a defence attache in New Delhi, while India plans to appoint a resident defence attache in Brussels.
The two countries welcomed plans for a Belgian frigate, LEOPOLD I, to visit India from Nov. 5-8, 2026, while further military exchanges and study visits are planned for 2026 and 2027.
Belgium reiterated its solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism and condemned the April 2025 attack on civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The two sides said they would explore establishing a joint working group on counter-terrorism.
India’s Central Bureau of Investigation and Belgium’s Federal Police also signed a memorandum of understanding on combating transnational organised crime and cybercrime.
➤ Prime Minister @narendramodi and Prime Minister of Belgium, Bart De Wever attend joint press meet at Hyderabad House, New Delhi
— PIB India (@PIB_India) September 3, 2026
WATCH:📽️https://t.co/5QO3t9DgCW
India-EU ties
The two prime ministers welcomed the conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement at the India-EU summit in January and called for its timely implementation.
They also urged completion of negotiations on an EU-India Investment Protection Agreement and a pact on geographical indications.
The leaders said the India-EU partnership would remain central to their bilateral relationship and backed greater cooperation among India, Belgium and the European Union on trade, technology, economic security and resilient supply chains.
They also welcomed progress under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council and endorsed a joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda for 2030.
Green energy and technology
India and Belgium signed a renewed memorandum of understanding on renewable energy cooperation covering green hydrogen, solar power, energy storage, offshore wind, bioenergy and hydropower.
The two sides said they wanted to strengthen cooperation across the green hydrogen value chain, including production, transport, storage and end-use applications.
They also backed closer cooperation in semiconductor technologies and welcomed growing links between Indian microelectronics institutions and Belgian research organisation imec.
Startup cooperation will also continue through partnerships between India’s MeitY Startup Hub, Hub Brussels and other innovation and skilling centres.
Mobility and connectivity
The two countries said visa processing capacity would be significantly increased as travel and exchanges between India and Belgium grow, with Belgium reinforcing its visa delivery services in India.
The leaders also encouraged airlines to explore direct air links between the two countries and welcomed cooperation on the mobility of skilled professionals, students, researchers and business travellers.
India invited leading Belgian universities to open campuses in India under its National Education Policy, while both sides backed closer cooperation in vocational training, apprenticeships and emerging skills.
On international issues, the two leaders reaffirmed support for efforts to achieve a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy. They also discussed developments in West Asia and stressed the importance of safe and unimpeded maritime shipping.
De Wever invited Modi to make a bilateral visit to Belgium at a mutually convenient time.
