Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever will visit India from September 2 to 4 on his first official trip to the country since assuming office, with bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for September 3. The visit is expected to focus on strengthening India-Belgium ties as well as advancing cooperation between India and the European Union.
During his meeting with Modi, De Wever will discuss the full range of bilateral relations along with regional and global issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs said. He will also deliver a keynote address at a Confederation of Indian Industry business event in the context of the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken will accompany De Wever as part of the visiting delegation. The visit is expected to cover areas including trade and investment, defence and security, technology, renewable energy, connectivity and people-to-people ties. The two sides are also expected to explore opportunities to deepen India-EU and wider India-Europe engagement.
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After completing his engagements in New Delhi, De Wever will travel to Mumbai, where he will meet stakeholders from key sectors, including diamonds, ports and logistics. These areas form part of the broader economic relationship between the two countries, with discussions expected to examine avenues for expanding commercial and investment cooperation.
The visit follows the inaugural India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue held in Brussels on July 15 between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot. The two ministers reviewed cooperation in political and economic affairs, investments, clean energy, defence, mobility and pharmaceuticals, besides discussing opportunities in ports, maritime activities, semiconductors and supply-chain diversification.
India and Belgium established diplomatic relations in September 1947, shortly after India gained independence. According to the Indian Embassy in Brussels, the relationship is supported by shared commitments to the rule of law, federalism and pluralism. Belgium has also backed India’s bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, while the upcoming visit is expected to provide further momentum to bilateral and India-EU cooperation.
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