India and Belgium Sign Multiple MoUs on Defence, Trade and Renewable Energy

India and Belgium have agreed to significantly deepen their strategic partnership, unveiling a wide range of new initiatives across defence, trade, semiconductors, renewable energy, critical minerals, maritime security and people-to-people ties. These decisions were finalised during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever's first official visit to India since taking office in February 2025. Visiting from September 2 to 4 at PM Narendra Modi's invitation, De Wever held detailed bilateral talks in New Delhi. Both leaders reaffirmed a relationship rooted in shared democratic values and strong historical ties, recalling the sacrifice of over 9,000 Indian soldiers in Flanders Fields during World War I, and noted that 2027 will mark 80 years of India-Belgium diplomatic relations.

Inaugural India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue

• India and Belgium welcomed the launch of their first-ever Strategic Dialogue, held in Brussels in July 2026
• The mechanism is designed to advance cooperation across trade and investment, the green transition, technology, connectivity, defence, security and people-to-people relations
• It will serve as an ongoing platform for both governments to review progress and set future priorities in the relationship

India-EU Strategic Partnership and the Free Trade Agreement

• Both sides reaffirmed the importance of the broader India-EU Strategic Partnership
• They welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in January 2026
• Leaders called for early conclusion of the India-EU Investment Protection Agreement and the Geographical Indications Agreement
• They stressed timely implementation of the FTA to diversify critical value chains and open new markets
• Progress under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council was welcomed, along with endorsement of the Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda for 2030

India and Belgium Doubling Bilateral Trade

• The two Prime Ministers agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade over the next five years
• An India-Belgium Investment Fast-Track Mechanism was launched to facilitate two-way investment and resolve business-related bottlenecks
• Belgium's Federal Holding and Investment Company (SFPIM) and India's National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) will strengthen engagement to build an Indo-Belgian economic and investment corridor
• Both countries identified opportunities in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, aerospace, space, logistics, clean technology, advanced materials and digital technologies
• The historic diamond trade linking Antwerp with Mumbai and Surat was reaffirmed as a continuing pillar of economic ties

Defence and Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

• A Letter of Intent was signed between the defence ministries of both countries, covering regular exchanges, staff talks, education, training and research cooperation
• Both sides expressed support for deeper collaboration in defence manufacturing, technology, innovation, co-development and co-production
• Belgium reiterated solidarity with India against terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack
• The two countries agreed to explore setting up a Belgium-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism to tackle terrorist financing, networks and safe havens
• An MoU was signed between India's CBI and Belgium's Federal Police to jointly combat transnational organised crime and cybercrime, including intelligence sharing and tracing of fugitives
• Belgium will appoint a Defence Attaché in New Delhi, while India will station a resident Defence Attaché in Brussels

Renewable Energy, Green Hydrogen and Critical Minerals

• India and Belgium renewed their MoU on renewable energy cooperation, expanding collaboration in green hydrogen, solar energy, energy storage, offshore wind, bio-energy, small hydropower and pumped storage projects
• Both sides welcomed growing industrial partnerships and knowledge exchange in green hydrogen and stressed building resilient value chains in this sector
• They agreed to enhance cooperation in critical minerals, especially processing and recycling, to secure reliable supply chains

Semiconductor and Technology Cooperation

• The two Prime Ministers encouraged closer engagement between Belgium's semiconductor research ecosystem, including imec, and Indian institutions and companies
• This cooperation aims to develop advanced semiconductor technologies and build resilient tech ecosystems in both nations
• Collaboration in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, startups and digital skills was welcomed, with ties encouraged between the MeitY Startup Hub and Belgium's startup ecosystem

Maritime and Port Cooperation

• Port development, logistics, connectivity, dredging and offshore wind infrastructure were identified as key areas of future collaboration
• Potential cooperation between the Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Centre and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority was welcomed, particularly for training and capacity building
• Belgium's expertise in dredging was recognised for its role in Indian port infrastructure and offshore renewable energy projects

Education, Mobility and People-to-People Ties

• Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in higher education, research, astronomy, astrophysics and space technologies
• PM Modi invited leading Belgian universities to explore opening campuses in India under the National Education Policy
• Cooperation was encouraged in skill development, vocational training, apprenticeships and recognition of qualifications
• Both sides agreed to work towards enhanced visa processing and direct air connectivity to ease mobility of professionals, students and researchers
• Healthcare cooperation was welcomed, including facilitating mobility of qualified Indian nurses to Belgium, alongside continued talks on a Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement

Cooperation on Global Issues

• The two Prime Ministers exchanged views on the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, backing dialogue and diplomacy in both cases
• On Ukraine, both sides supported a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter and international law
• On West Asia, they emphasised diplomatic engagement and peaceful resolution of ongoing challenges
• Both nations stressed the need to safeguard maritime routes and ensure safe, unimpeded international shipping
• They reaffirmed shared commitment to democracy, rule of law, human rights, gender equality and a rules-based international order.