Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever begins his first India visit, seeking stronger ties in trade, defence, technology and renewable energy…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever will arrive in India on Wednesday for a three-day official visit, his first to the country since taking office in February last year.
De Wever is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken will also accompany him as part of the visiting delegation.
The visit is expected to focus on strengthening India-Belgium cooperation in trade, defence, renewable energy and technology, while also deepening engagement between India and the European Union.
During his meeting with Modi, De Wever will discuss the full range of bilateral relations, along with regional and global issues of mutual interest, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The Belgian Prime Minister will also deliver a keynote address at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) business event in the context of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Following his engagements in New Delhi, De Wever will travel to Mumbai, where he is scheduled to meet stakeholders from sectors including diamonds, ports and logistics.
“The visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the India-Belgium partnership and advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, defence and security, technology, renewable energy, connectivity and people-to-people ties, as well as to further deepen India-EU and India-Europe engagement,” the MEA said.
The visit comes after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot in Brussels last month during the inaugural India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue.
The two ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation across political, economic and investment issues, as well as clean energy, defence, mobility and pharmaceuticals. They also discussed opportunities in ports, maritime cooperation and semiconductors, along with efforts to strengthen and de-risk supply chains.
The discussions also covered global developments, including the situation in West Asia.
“Co-chaired with DPM and FM Maxime Prevot the inaugural India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue in Brussels today. Our partnership has witnessed significant deepening in recent years. Today’s discussions reflected the ambition of India’s ties with Belgium, and the European Union,” Jaishankar said in a post on X following the meeting.
Belgium was among the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with independent India, doing so in September 1947.
According to the Indian Embassy in Brussels, the bilateral relationship is based on shared values including the rule of law, federalism and pluralism.
Belgium has also supported India’s bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
De Wever’s visit is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to build on existing cooperation while exploring new areas of partnership in trade, investment, defence, technology, energy and connectivity.
