New Delhi, India, August 31 — Belgium Prime Minister Bart De Wever is scheduled to embark on an official visit to India from September 2 to 4, during which he will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During their meeting on September 3, De Wever and Modi will discuss the full spectrum of bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. De Wever will also deliver a keynote address at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) business event in the context of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Monday.
This will mark De Wever’s first visit to India since taking office in February of the previous year. Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken will also be part of the visiting delegation.
After completing his official engagements in New Delhi, De Wever will travel to Mumbai to meet with stakeholders from the diamond, ports and logistics industries.
“The visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the India-Belgium partnership and advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, defense and security, technology, renewable energy, connectivity and people-to-people ties, as well as to further deepen India-EU and India-Europe engagement,” the MEA said.
Previously, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Belgian counterpart, Maxime Prevot, met in Brussels last month to review bilateral cooperation across political, economic, investment, clean energy, defense, mobility and pharmaceutical sectors.
The two leaders also discussed international developments, including events in West Asia, during the inaugural India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue held in Brussels on July 15.
“Co-chaired with DPM and FM Maxime Prevot the inaugural India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue in Brussels today. Our partnership has witnessed significant deepening in recent years. Today’s discussions reflected the ambition of India’s ties with Belgium, and the European Union,” Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting.
“Reviewed our cooperation including in political, economic, investments, clean energy, defence, mobility and pharmaceutical domains. Also focused on opportunities in ports, maritime, semiconductors as well as broader cooperation for supply chain de-risking. Had a useful exchange of perspectives on global developments, including in West Asia,” he added.
Belgium was among the first European nations to establish diplomatic ties with independent India in September 1947.
The longstanding bilateral relationship between India and Belgium is based on shared principles, including a commitment to the rule of law, federalism and pluralism, according to the Indian Embassy in Brussels.
Belgium also supports India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. (ANI)
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