2 hrs ago
India, Belgium Announce Ten Outcomes During De Wever Visit
India and Belgium agreed to work more closely in many areas.
Their main goals are trade, technology and talent.
They want to double trade between the two countries in five years.
They also agreed to cooperate more on defence and renewable energy.
The countries will work together against organized crime and cybercrime.
They discussed moving students, workers, researchers and business travelers more easily between the countries.
India and Belgium also talked about technology, ports, healthcare and critical minerals.
Both sides supported closer India-EU cooperation and stronger action against terrorism.
India and Belgium unveiled 10 outcomes covering trade, investment, defence, energy, security and people-to-people ties.
The countries will seek to double bilateral trade from about USD 13 billion over the next five years.
They signed defence, renewable-energy, law-enforcement and diplomatic-training agreements and announced an Indian resident Defence Attaché in Brussels.
Cooperation will expand into critical minerals, maritime logistics, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, healthcare and mobility for skilled professionals.
The leaders supported timely implementation of the India-EU free trade agreement and deeper cooperation on security and defence.
- Who
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever led the discussions, supported by officials and institutions from both countries.
- What
- India and Belgium announced 10 outcomes to expand cooperation in trade, technology, talent, defence, investment, energy, security and other sectors.
- Where
- The outcomes were announced in New Delhi during De Wever’s visit to India.
- When
- De Wever arrived on September 2 for a three-day official visit; the outcomes were announced on Thursday.
- Why
- The two countries aim to strengthen bilateral ties, increase trade and investment, expand strategic cooperation and improve mobility and institutional links.
Key facts
- Bilateral trade
- About USD 13 billion currently
- Trade target
- Double bilateral trade over the next five years
- Core priorities
- Trade, technology and talent
- Defence measures
- A Defence Cooperation Letter of Intent, an industry MoU and an Indian resident Defence Attaché in Brussels
- Renewable energy
- Cooperation will include green hydrogen, green ammonia, solar, storage, offshore wind, bioenergy and hydropower
- Security cooperation
- The Central Bureau of Investigation and Belgian Federal Police signed an MoU on transnational organized crime and cybercrime
- India-EU ties
- The leaders called for timely implementation of the India-EU free trade agreement and noted the India-EU Security and Defence Partnership
Quotes
Sibi George
MEA Secretary (West), briefing reporters on India-Belgium relations
“Both leaders underscored their commitment to a comprehensive global approach to counterterrorism and affirmed that terrorism in any form and manifestation and anywhere could never be justified”
republicworld.com
“In a nutshell, there is a clear focus on three Ts: Trade, Technology and Talent in this relationship.”
republicworld.com
Sources
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