New Delhi: India and Belgium signed offers to deepen defence and clean-energy ties and agreed to double bilateral commerce inside 5 years as PM Modi held talks with Belgian counterpart Bart De Wever, the primary Belgian PM to go to India in practically twenty years, stories Sachin Parashar.Following the talks, Modi pitched India’s 7.8% development within the final quarter as a possibility for the world. In a joint assertion with De Wever, Modi mentioned world conflicts have been inflicting main upheaval, disrupting meals, gasoline and provide chains, and creating uncertainty throughout sectors.“At this time, India’s development story is changing into a supply of confidence and new alternatives for the world,” mentioned Modi.PM Narendra Modi introduced a mechanism to fast-track funding between the 2 international locations.Belgium accounted for $4.2bn of FDI inflows from April 2000 to Dec 2025, making it the 18th-largest supply of FDI into India. De Wever’s go to resulted in 10 main outcomes — 5 MoUs, together with two to spice up indigenous defence manufacturing, co-design and co-development, and one other 5 bulletins, together with appointment of a defence attache in Indian embassy in Brussels.Requested whether or not there was any dialogue on pending extradition of fugitive Mehul Choksi, who stays in a Belgium jail, MEA secretary Sibi George mentioned legislation enforcement cooperation was an “vital subject of dialogue and an vital side of the connection with Belgium”.“All problems with concern and curiosity are mentioned in any respect ranges of our engagement … India stays dedicated to making sure that fugitives are introduced again to the nation to face the legislation,” he added.Modi mentioned ties with Belgium had expanded past conventional sectors. “Defence and safety cooperation is a key pillar of our relationship. At this time, we agreed to boost navy exchanges and coaching cooperation between the 2 international locations,” mentioned the PM. “The agreements between our govts and defence industries will open up alternatives for defence co-development and co-production. We will even additional strengthen intelligence sharing and cooperation between our companies to fight crime,” he added.PM mentioned unprecedented cooperation, together with the just lately concluded FTA between India and EU – two of the world’s largest democratic blocs – would strengthen world stability, improvement and shared prosperity.The leaders additionally mentioned Ukraine and West Asia, underlining their assist for the rule of legislation, dialogue and diplomacy. In a joint assertion, they careworn the significance of guaranteeing the protection and safety of maritime routes and sustaining secure and unimpeded maritime delivery.“Whether or not it’s Ukraine or West Asia, we assist all efforts aimed toward an early finish to conflicts and the restoration of peace,” the PM added.The leaders referred to as for nearer partnerships in semiconductor applied sciences to create resilient and superior know-how ecosystems in each international locations, with Modi saying that Belgium’s experience in semiconductors and India’s scale complement one another.
Share your ideas within the feedback
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
The 2 leaders agreed to quickly conclude a migration and mobility settlement to facilitate expertise mobility.Belgium additionally expressed solidarity with India within the struggle in opposition to terrorism. De Wever condemned the assault on civilians at Pahalgam in April 2025. “Each leaders underscored their dedication to a complete/world strategy to counterterrorism and affirmed that terrorism, in any kind and manifestation and wherever, might by no means be justified and referred to as for its perpetrators to be held accountable in accordance with the legislation,” mentioned the assertion.The leaders additionally targeted on clear vitality, vital minerals and dependable provide chains. “The MoU on Renewable Power signed at this time will give momentum to our sustainability cooperation. In vital minerals, now we have determined to boost ties in processing & recycling,” PM mentioned.