Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday and PM Modi hailed defence and security cooperation as a vital foundation of bilateral relations, noting that both nations have finalised pacts to boost military exchanges and training initiatives. After their meeting in New Delhi, PM Modi addressed a joint press conference alongside visiting Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, emphasising that shared democratic principles, a robust market economy, and strong interpersonal connections establish both countries as "natural partners."
PM Modi stated, "Defence and security cooperation is a key pillar of our relationship. Today, we have agreed to enhance military exchanges and training cooperation between the two countries. Agreements reached between our governments and defence industries will open up new opportunities for defence co-development and co-production. We will also further strengthen intelligence sharing and cooperation against crime between our respective agencies."
During their meeting, the two leaders took up regional and global matters of mutual interest and reiterated their resolve to further deepen bilateral ties. During the meeting, both leaders also agreed on measures to double bilateral trade over the next five years, including the establishment of a business forum, an investment forum and a consular dialogue.
Check top five outcomes of India-Belgium pact:
Outcome No 1: Doubling of Bilateral Trade in the next five years
What it means
- It provides opportunities for Indian businesses and exports to grow
- It advances job creation, especially for the Indian youth
- It aligns with the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement
Outcome No 2: Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation
What it means
- It facilitates access to advanced technologies, expertise and European defence supply chains
- It promotes indigenous defence manufacturing, technology development, co-design, co-development and co-production
- It encourages investment and innovation in the defence sector
Outcome No 3: MoU between Belgian Security and Defence Industry association (BDSI) and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM)
What it means
- It creates a sustained channel for Indian defence companies to access Belgian markets, technology and expertise
- It supports localisation of advanced defence production, boosts domestic industrial capacity and
- skilled employment
- It helps in the objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India
Outcome No 4: Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Renewable Energy
What it means
- It supports India’s renewable-energy transition and net-zero goals
- It strengthens cooperation with Belgium and the EU on clean energy
- It facilitates sharing of Belgian expertise in advancing clean-energy cooperation
Outcome No 5: MoU between Central Bureau of Investigation and Belgium Federal Police on Cooperation in Combatting Transnational Organised Crime, Cybercrime and related matters
What it means
- It strengthen India’s cooperation with Belgium in tackling transnational organized crime and cybercrime
- It facilitates timely exchange of criminal and intelligence-related information
- It enhances investigative capabilities through capacity-building, training and sharing of best practices
The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, with a focus on defence, trade, investment, innovation, semiconductor, fintech, critical minerals, people-to-people ties, and academic and research cooperation. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the close and multifaceted India-Belgium partnership. Both sides agreed to double the bilateral trade in next five years, establish a business forum, an investment forum and a consular dialogue. Both leaders witnessed the exchange of MoUs in the field of defence, renewable energy, combating crime and establishing diplomatic training between two countries,” the MEA said.
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