VOI World/ Abhishek Jha
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has arrived in India for a three-day visit, the first by a Belgian prime minister in nearly two decades. His September 2-4 visit comes at a time when India-Belgium relations are moving beyond their traditional economic focus towards a broader strategic partnership.
De Wever is accompanied by Belgium’s Defence Minister and Minister for Foreign Trade Theo Francken, along with senior officials and business leaders. He will hold bilateral talks with Indian PM Modi on September 3, covering the full range of bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues.
The visit follows the launch of the India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue in Brussels in July, the first such structured dialogue between the two countries. India and Belgium agreed to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, technology, green energy, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. The dialogue is intended to provide a regular, results-oriented framework for political engagement.
The timing gives De Wever’s visit added significance. Belgium is an important economic partner for India in Europe, but New Delhi is increasingly looking at Brussels not only as a trading partner but also as a strategic gateway into the European Union. The July Strategic Dialogue specifically linked the bilateral relationship with the broader India-EU strategic partnership.
Trade and the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement will therefore be high on the agenda. De Wever is scheduled to address Indian business leaders at a Confederation of Indian Industry event, with free and fair trade expected to be a key focus. Belgium has a major stake in the India-EU economic relationship, while India sees Belgium as an important partner for expanding trade, investment and supply-chain cooperation in Europe.
The economic relationship already has considerable depth. India-Belgium bilateral trade stood at about USD 13 billion in 2025-26, while Belgian investment in India has crossed USD 4 billion since 2000. Diamonds remain a major pillar of the relationship, with Antwerp serving as one of the world’s leading diamond centres and India playing a central role in cutting and polishing.
The diamond partnership will get a direct spotlight during De Wever’s visit to Mumbai on September 4. He is scheduled to engage with stakeholders in the diamond sector, including the Bharat Diamond Bourse, as well as representatives connected with Antwerp’s diamond industry. His Mumbai programme will also focus on ports and logistics, areas where India and Belgium see scope for deeper cooperation.
The strategic agenda, however, is widening. Defence and security cooperation are expected to receive greater attention, particularly with the Belgian Defence Minister accompanying the Prime Minister. The two sides have also identified maritime cooperation, connectivity, technology, innovation and resilient supply chains as areas for expansion. Discussions in the July Strategic Dialogue covered ports, maritime cooperation and supply-chain de-risking alongside defence and emerging technologies.
Technology and clean energy provide another emerging pillar. India and Belgium are exploring cooperation in green energy, innovation and advanced technologies. Belgian companies are already involved in major Indian projects, including renewable energy and electrolyser manufacturing.
The relationship also has a strong human and historical dimension. Belgium was among the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with independent India in 1947. Thousands of Indian soldiers fought and died in Flanders during the First World War, leaving a lasting historical connection between the two countries.
