India-Belgium Ties Get a Major Boost

India and Belgium have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across key sectors, including trade, defence, critical minerals, clean energy and technology. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday and held extensive discussions on bilateral ties. The two countries signed five agreements covering areas including defence cooperation and renewable energy, while setting a target to double annual bilateral trade over the next five years.

Speaking after the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said India’s economy continued to move forward despite global conflicts, uncertainty and disruptions to food, energy and supply chains. He highlighted India’s 7.8% economic growth in the previous quarter as a reflection of the country’s growing strength and opportunities. Modi described defence and security cooperation as a key pillar of India-Belgium relations and said both sides had agreed to expand military exchanges and training. Agreements between governments and defence industries are expected to create new opportunities for co-development and co-production. The two sides also agreed to deepen cooperation in startups, maritime affairs, universities and research. Modi said a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement would be pursued soon to facilitate talent mobility. De Wever welcomed the India-EU free trade agreement and said India and Belgium were building broader and more strategic ties than ever before.