Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in New Delhi. The discussions covered the full range of India–Belgium relations, along with regional and global issues of mutual interest.
A major outcome was the decision to double annual bilateral trade within the next five years. India–Belgium trade stood at $10.92 billion in 2025–26.
Major Outcomes of Meeting
1. Strengthening Defence Cooperation
India and Belgium agreed to deepen defence ties through a Letter of Intent between their Defence Ministries.
It will provide a framework for:
- Regular exchanges and staff talks
- Education and training
- Defence research cooperation
- Defence-industrial partnerships
Both sides also recognised opportunities in defence manufacturing, technology, innovation, co-development and co-production. To advance this cooperation, multiple agreements and partnerships were welcomed between the Belgian Security and Defence Industry (BDSI) and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).
Belgium also announced the appointment of a Defence Attaché in New Delhi, while India plans to appoint a resident Defence Attaché at its Embassy in Brussels in the near future.
2. Expanded Renewable Energy Cooperation
India and Belgium signed a renewed MoU on renewable energy cooperation. The renewed agreement builds on the cooperation established under the 2015 framework and the work of the Joint Working Group on Renewable Energy.
The partnership now covers areas such as:
- Green hydrogen
- Solar energy
- Energy storage
- Offshore wind energy
- Bio-energy
- Small hydropower
- Pumped-storage plants
3. India–Belgium Investment Fast-Track Mechanism
The two countries launched the India–Belgium Investment Fast-Track Mechanism to strengthen bilateral investment.
It will function as a dedicated platform to:
- Facilitate Belgian investment in India.
- Promote Indian investment in Belgium.
- Support businesses.
- Address investment-related bottlenecks.
- Create a more favourable environment for long-term economic cooperation.
India–Belgium Economic Relations
Belgium was among the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with independent India, doing so in September 1947.
Economic ties are supported by strong trade and investment interests. The India–BLEU Joint Economic Commission (JCM), established in 1997, serves as the primary platform for discussing bilateral economic and commercial matters.
Major trade areas:
- Indian exports: Precious metals and stones, chemicals and base metals.
- Indian imports: Precious metals and stones, base metals, chemicals, textiles and machinery.
- Diamonds: A particularly important component of bilateral trade.
Investment and Indian Presence in Belgium
Belgium has also become an important investment partner for India. Between April 2000 and June 2025, Belgium contributed $4.045 billion in FDI inflows to India, making it the 18th-largest contributor to India’s FDI.
Several major Indian companies, particularly in the IT and software sector, have established operations in Belgium to serve both the Belgian and wider European markets. These include TCS, Infosys, Tech Mahindra and HCL.
The Indian diaspora in Belgium is estimated at more than 35,000 people, providing an additional people-to-people link between the two countries.