Archive · 4 Sep 2026
India and Belgium Expand Defence, Semiconductor and Economic Ties
India and Belgium want to work more closely together.
Their leaders discussed defence, computer chips, renewable energy and sharing information to fight crime.
Defence companies from both countries may work together to build equipment such as drones, tanks and rockets.
Belgium’s IMEC Institute may connect with India’s semiconductor industry.
The countries also want to cooperate on important minerals and clean-energy projects.
India created a faster process for Belgian investments.
Both sides hope to double trade in the next five years.
They said dialogue and diplomacy are important for ending conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.
De Wever is visiting New Delhi and is scheduled to visit Mumbai, including the Bharat Diamond Bourse.
India and Belgium agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, intelligence-sharing, semiconductors and renewable energy.
The countries will pursue defence co-development and co-production involving drones, tanks, rockets, munitions and anti-mine systems.
Belgium’s IMEC Institute is expected to connect with India’s semiconductor ecosystem, while cooperation will expand on critical-mineral processing and recycling.
India established an investment fast-track mechanism for Belgian companies and aims to double bilateral trade within five years.
Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Bart De Wever discussed global conflicts, supply-chain security and strategic openness during De Wever’s first India visit.
- Who
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, accompanied by Belgian Defence and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken and Belgian defence-industry representatives.
- What
- India and Belgium agreed to strengthen defence, intelligence-sharing, semiconductor, renewable-energy, investment and trade cooperation.
- When
- The agreement was announced on Thursday during De Wever’s three-day official visit to India; he arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday.
- Where
- Modi and De Wever met at Hyderabad House in New Delhi; De Wever is scheduled to visit Mumbai on September 4.
- Why
- Both countries seek broader strategic ties, stronger supply chains, expanded economic cooperation and joint defence and technology development.
- Defence cooperation
- The countries agreed to expand military exchanges, training, defence research, co-development and possible co-production.
- Defence sectors
- Cooperation includes drones, anti-mine systems, rockets, tanks and munitions.
- Semiconductors
- Belgium’s IMEC Institute is expected to connect with India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
- Trade target
- India and Belgium aim to double bilateral trade over the next five years.
- 2025-26 trade
- Bilateral trade reached $13.01 billion in 2025-26.
- Belgian investment
- Belgian foreign direct investment in India was approximately $4.2 billion between April 2000 and December 2025.
- Planned Mumbai engagement
- De Wever is scheduled to visit the Bharat Diamond Bourse, reflecting the importance of diamond trade between the countries.
