1 hr ago
Belgium Assures India Over Pakistan Defence Engagement During Bilateral Talks
Belgium and India are trying to strengthen their defence partnership.
India asked Belgium not to work militarily with Pakistan.
India says Pakistan-based terrorists have carried out attacks in India.
Belgium assured India that it would not pursue defence engagement with Pakistan.
The discussion happened when Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever visited India.
Defence officials from both countries also discussed several business agreements.
One Belgian company will help build an ammunition factory in India.
Other projects involve mine-hunting equipment and rockets.
The first fully Indian-made rocket in one project is expected in early 2027.
Belgium told India it would not pursue defence engagement with Pakistan, according to Indian officials.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raised the issue with Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken in New Delhi.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever visited India with Francken and a major industrial delegation.
Ten planned defence agreements cover ammunition, mine-hunting systems, rockets and electro-optical sights.
Projects include a €50 million ammunition production line and Indian-made 70mm rockets expected in 2027.
- Who
- Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever were central participants.
- What
- Belgium assured India it would not pursue defence engagement with Pakistan while advancing defence-industrial cooperation with India.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- When
- The discussions took place on Thursday during the Belgian prime minister’s visit to India.
- Why
- India wants European partners to avoid military cooperation with Pakistan, which it accuses of supporting cross-border terrorism.
India’s Position
Belgium’s Assurance
Defence engagement with Pakistan
India’s Position
India urged Belgium to avoid military cooperation with Pakistan alongside closer industrial ties with India, citing Pakistan-based terrorism and concerns about the transfer of advanced defence technology.
Belgium’s Assurance
Belgium assured India that it would not pursue defence engagement with Pakistan.
Bilateral defence cooperation
India’s Position
India said its partnership with Belgium could expand during a period of geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Belgium’s Assurance
Belgium arrived with an industrial delegation and planned agreements involving ammunition, mine-hunting systems, rockets and other defence equipment.
Key facts
- Belgian assurance
- Belgian officials assured India that Belgium would not pursue defence engagement with Pakistan.
- Industrial package
- Ten agreements between Belgian and Indian defence firms were due to be signed.
- Ammunition project
- New Lachaussée is to supply a production line capable of producing about 100 million rounds annually.
- Ammunition investment
- The New Lachaussée project is valued at €50 million.
- Mine-countermeasure systems
- Exail Belgium will provide autonomous mine-countermeasure toolboxes for vessels built by Larsen & Toubro.
- Rocket production
- Thales Belgium will assemble 70mm rockets in India with Kalyani Strategic Systems.
- Production timeline
- The first fully Indian-made rocket under the project is expected in early 2027.
Quotes
Rajnath Singh
India’s Defence Minister
“The world is witnessing a time of great geopolitical and economic turmoil. Most of it is not our doing, but we have to handle the challenges. In such situations, meeting a friend and partner like you provides a useful opportunity to exchange views and perspectives.”
wionews.com
Sources
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