NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced a joint commitment to double bilateral trade between India and Belgium over the next five years. The summit focused on expanding bilateral cooperation across defense co-production, semiconductor integration, clean energy, and intelligence sharing.
The high-level talks took place during Prime Minister De Wever’s three-day official visit to India—marking the first visit by a Belgian Prime Minister in two decades.
Trade Mechanism and Economic Integration
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Growth Target: Establish frameworks to double two-way trade volume within a five-year timeline, building on the recently concluded India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
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Investment Facilitation: Introduction of a dedicated Investment Fast-Track Mechanism in India to streamline entry and regulatory processes for Belgian companies.
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Business Forum Institutionalization: Regularization of the India-Belgium Business Forum to strengthen commercial ties and expand alignment across financial, fintech, and regulatory institutions.
Defense, Security, and Intelligence Cooperation
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Defense Manufacturing: Framework agreements between government and defense industry bodies to establish joint research, co-development, and co-production projects.
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Military Exchanges: Expansion of joint military exchanges and training initiatives between armed forces.
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Security Oversight: Commitment to enhance bilateral intelligence sharing and cross-border counter-crime collaboration between respective national security agencies.
Clean Energy, Semiconductors, and Technology
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Renewable Energy MoU: Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding focused on accelerating sustainability, clean technology deployment, and energy transition projects.
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Critical Minerals: Strategic partnership aimed at scaling cooperation in the processing, refining, and recycling of critical mineral supply chains.
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Semiconductor Integration: Formal initiative to integrate Belgium’s IMEC Institute with India’s expanding semiconductor ecosystem, leveraging Belgian research capabilities alongside Indian manufacturing scale.
Talent Mobility and University Links
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Mobility Agreement: Planned execution of a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement to facilitate the structured movement of skilled professionals, researchers, and students.
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Maritime and Startup Links: Enhanced capacity building within the maritime sector and structured collaboration between tech startups and higher education institutions.
