India and Belgium Strengthen Strategic Partnership with Agreements on Trade and Defence
In a major diplomatic development aimed at enhancing Eurasian partnerships, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever conducted an official state visit to India from September 2 to 4, 2026. During high-level bilateral discussions in New Delhi, Prime Minister De Wever and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to chart a new roadmap for strategic, economic, and security ties between the two nations.
The leaders set an ambitious target to double bilateral trade between India and Belgium over the next five years. To streamline foreign investment and commercial projects, the two governments launched the India-Belgium Investment Fast-Track Mechanism. Furthermore, both nations welcomed the recent conclusion of negotiations on the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), emphasizing that early implementation will significantly expand market access and strengthen supply chain resilience for businesses across both continents.
In the defence and security arena, India and Belgium signed a Letter of Intent establishing institutionalized defence talks, joint research, and co-production of military equipment. A Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism was also instituted, along with a memorandum between India's Central Bureau of Investigation and Belgium's Federal Police to combat transnational organized crime and cyber threats. Additionally, Belgium reaffirmed its support for India's permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council, underscoring growing diplomatic alignment between Brussels and New Delhi.
