Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Modi, Belgian PM De Wever Deepen India-Belgium Strategic Partnership
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever in New Delhi.
They talked about how India and Belgium can work more closely together.
Their discussions included trade, defence, technology, renewable energy and education.
They also discussed global and regional issues that matter to both countries.
The two sides exchanged agreements covering defence, clean energy, fighting crime and diplomatic training.
They agreed to try to double trade between the countries within five years.
De Wever also visited Rajghat to honor Mahatma Gandhi.
His visit is the first to India since he became Belgium’s prime minister and the first by a Belgian prime minister in two decades.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday.
The leaders reviewed bilateral ties and discussed defence, trade, investment, innovation, semiconductors, fintech, critical minerals and other areas.
India and Belgium exchanged MoUs on defence, renewable energy, combating crime and diplomatic training.
The countries agreed to aim for doubling bilateral trade within five years and establishing business, investment and consular forums.
De Wever’s visit, scheduled through September 4, follows a 2025 Belgian economic mission that produced 38 MoUs.
- Who
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, accompanied by officials, business leaders and Belgian defence-industry representatives.
- What
- The leaders reviewed India-Belgium relations, exchanged MoUs and agreed on measures to deepen cooperation.
- When
- The bilateral meeting took place on Thursday; De Wever’s official visit is scheduled through September 4.
- Where
- The meeting was held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi; De Wever is also scheduled to visit Mumbai.
- Why
- To strengthen India-Belgium ties and expand cooperation in trade, investment, defence, technology, connectivity and other areas.
- Meeting location
- Hyderabad House, New Delhi
- Visit significance
- It is Bart De Wever’s first visit to India as Belgian prime minister and the first visit by a Belgian prime minister to India in two decades.
- Agreements exchanged
- MoUs covered defence, renewable energy, combating crime and diplomatic training.
- Trade target
- India and Belgium agreed to aim to double bilateral trade within five years.
- New forums and dialogue
- The two sides agreed to establish business and investment forums and a consular dialogue.
- Delegation
- De Wever was accompanied by Defence and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken, officials, business leaders and Belgian defence-industry representatives.
- Previous economic mission
- A Belgian Economic Mission led by Princess Astrid in March 2025 included 338 participants and resulted in 38 MoUs.
