PM Modi, Belgian counterpart hold talks
New Delhi, Sept 03: Belgium has backed India’s bid for permanent membership of a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council and agreed to support India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat for the 2028-29 term, signalling a deepening strategic partnership between the two countries.
The commitment was among the key outcomes of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Belgian counterpart Bart De Wever, who is on his first visit to India since taking office in February 2025.
The two leaders also agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade over the next five years and stepped up cooperation in defence, counter-terrorism, investment, clean energy and emerging technologies.
In the joint statement issued on Thursday, Belgium reaffirmed its support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council. Both sides stressed the urgent need for UNSC reform to make the body more representative of the contemporary global order.
The two countries also agreed to support each other’s bids for non-permanent membership, with India seeking the 2028-29 term and Belgium the 2037-38 term.
The two Prime Ministers welcomed the launch of the inaugural India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue in Brussels in July this year, describing it as a regular mechanism to advance cooperation in trade and investment, the green transition, technology, connectivity, defence, security and people-to-people ties.
Economic ties also figured prominently in the discussions, with both sides expressing determination to double bilateral trade in the next five years. The leaders welcomed the expansion and diversification of economic engagement and identified sectors including life sciences, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, semiconductors, chemicals, defence, critical minerals, sustainable industries and nuclear energy for greater cooperation.
They also welcomed the launch of the India-Belgium Investment Fast-Track Mechanism to facilitate investments by companies from both countries, address bottlenecks and create a more favourable environment for long-term economic cooperation.
The two sides also looked forward to formalising cooperation between Belgium’s Federal Holding and Investment Company and India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, with the aim of helping establish an Indo-Belgian economic and investment corridor.
The leaders underlined the central role of the India-EU strategic partnership in bilateral ties and welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in January. They called for its timely implementation and urged the early conclusion of negotiations on the India-EU Investment Protection Agreement and the Geographical Indications Agreement.
On security, De Wever conveyed Belgium’s solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and again condemned the April 2025 terrorist attack on civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
The two countries agreed on the need for stronger international action against terrorist organisations, their networks, safe havens and financing. They also expressed an intention to explore the establishment of a Belgium-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism to address evolving threats.
Defence cooperation is set to expand further following the signing of a Letter of Intent between the two Defence Ministries. The framework will provide for regular exchanges, staff talks, education and training, research cooperation and defence-industrial partnerships.
Both sides welcomed growing cooperation in maritime security, emerging technologies and the Indo-Pacific, as well as deeper defence-industrial engagement in manufacturing, technology, co-development and co-production. Belgium will also appoint a Defence Attaché in New Delhi, while India plans to appoint a resident Defence Attaché in Brussels.
The two sides also welcomed the planned visit of Belgian frigate Leopold I to India from November 5 to 8, 2026, as part of expanding military exchanges.
Cooperation in the clean-energy sector was strengthened with the renewal of an MoU on renewable energy. The agreement expands collaboration in green hydrogen, solar power, energy storage, offshore wind, bio-energy, small hydropower and pumped storage.
The two countries also identified green hydrogen as an important area for industrial partnerships, knowledge exchange and development of resilient supply chains.
Emerging technologies, particularly semiconductors and artificial intelligence, also figured in the talks. The leaders encouraged deeper links between Indian semiconductor institutions and Belgian technology major imec and backed stronger cooperation in AI, innovation, startups and digital skills.
The joint statement also highlighted the importance of strengthening connectivity and mobility. Belgium will significantly increase visa-processing capacity as exchanges between the two countries grow, while both sides encouraged airlines to explore establishing direct air connectivity between India and Belgium.
The leaders also welcomed cooperation facilitating the mobility of qualified Indian nurses to Belgium and continued discussions on a possible agreement on mobility and migration.
Prime Minister Modi invited leading Belgian universities and academic institutions to establish campuses in India under the National Education Policy.
The two leaders also discussed international developments, including the war in Ukraine and the situation in West Asia, reaffirming support for dialogue and diplomacy and stressing the importance of safe and unimpeded maritime shipping.
The talks also recalled the historic links between the two countries, including the supreme sacrifice of more than 9,000 Indian soldiers in the Flanders Fields during the First World War. India and Belgium will mark the 80th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2027.
At the conclusion of the visit, De Wever invited Modi to undertake a bilateral visit to Belgium at a mutually convenient time.
