Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever held talks in New Delhi as part of the Belgian leader’s three-day visit to India, the first by a Belgian Prime Minister in two decades. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, defence, technology, renewable energy and maritime security.
Bilateral trade between India and Belgium stood at approximately $13.01 billion in 2025-26. Belgian foreign direct investment into India totalled about $4.2 billion between April 2000 and December 2025. Diamond trade remains a significant component of the commercial relationship.
Defence cooperation has emerged as a new area of engagement. Belgium’s Defence and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken accompanied the Prime Minister, along with representatives of Belgian defence companies. Multiple Memoranda of Understanding and industry agreements were signed covering areas such as ammunition, naval mine systems, rockets, sensors, tanks, drones and marine engines. A Letter of Intent between the two defence ministries provides a framework for military training, officer exchanges, research, joint exercises and maritime security.
The two sides also agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade and to deepen collaboration in clean energy, critical minerals and semiconductors.
