Archive · 3 Sep 2026
India and Belgium Expand Trade, Defence, Technology Cooperation
India and Belgium want to work more closely together.
They plan to cooperate on trade, defence, clean energy and advanced technology.
They will also work together on important minerals and semiconductors.
Narendra Modi said India's economy grew by 7.8% in the latest quarter mentioned.
He said this growth could create confidence and opportunities for other countries.
Bart De Wever said an India-European Union free trade pact was a major achievement.
The countries want to improve defence training, intelligence sharing, research and connections between start-ups.
They also support using talks and diplomacy to help end conflicts and oppose terrorism.
India and Belgium agreed to expand cooperation in trade, defence, critical minerals, clean energy and technology.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India recorded 7.8% growth in the last quarter.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever called the India-European Union free trade pact a major milestone.
The countries agreed to expand military exchanges, defence co-development, intelligence sharing and maritime cooperation.
They also signed a renewable-energy memorandum and backed cooperation on minerals, semiconductors, peace and counterterrorism.
- Who
- India, Belgium, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
- What
- The countries agreed to significantly expand cooperation across trade, defence, critical minerals, clean energy and technologies.
- When
- Thursday, September 3, according to one report.
- Why
- To build a broader strategic relationship and address shared priorities involving clean energy, supply chains, technology, security and peace.
- India's latest quarterly growth
- 7.8%, according to Narendra Modi.
- Main cooperation areas
- Trade, defence, critical minerals, clean energy and technologies.
- Trade agreement
- Bart De Wever described the conclusion of the India-European Union free trade pact as a major milestone.
- Defence cooperation
- The countries agreed to enhance military exchanges, training, defence co-development and co-production.
- Renewable energy
- A memorandum of understanding was signed to advance sustainability cooperation.
- Critical minerals and semiconductors
- The countries plan greater cooperation in mineral processing and recycling; Belgium's semiconductor expertise and India's scale were described as complementary.
- Economic ties
- Bilateral trade reached USD 13.01 billion in 2025-26, while Belgian foreign direct investment in India totaled approximately USD 4.2 billion between April 2000 and December 2025.
