India, Belgium seek to double bilateral trade in five years, deepen ties in defence and technology
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India and Belgium are expanding their partnership beyond diamonds and traditional trade, with new cooperation planned in defence, clean energy, critical minerals, semiconductors and talent
Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth meets Belgian Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken during the India-Belgium Defence CEOs Roundtable and B2B Meetings in New Delhi on September 3, 2026.
NEW DELHI: India and Belgium have agreed to give their bilateral relationship a broader strategic and economic dimension, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing an ambitious goal of doubling bilateral trade over the next five years.
Addressing a joint press statement with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in New Delhi on September 3, Modi said the two countries were expanding cooperation beyond traditional sectors to areas including defence, clean energy, critical minerals, semiconductors and advanced technology.
Modi said an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism had been established in India for Belgian companies and that the India-Belgium Business Forum would be made a regular mechanism. The two sides will also strengthen coordination among financial, fintech and regulatory institutions.
Defence and security emerged as a key pillar of the expanded partnership. India and Belgium agreed to enhance military exchanges and training, while government-to-government and defence-industry agreements are expected to create opportunities for co-development and co-production of defence equipment. The two countries will also strengthen intelligence sharing and cooperation against crime.
Modi highlighted the Zorawar tank project as an example of advanced defence cooperation between the two countries. He also referred to the development of a major green ammonia project in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, as an example of cooperation in clean energy.
On the technology front, India and Belgium will explore stronger cooperation in semiconductors. Modi said Belgium’s expertise and India’s scale were complementary, with plans to connect Belgium’s IMEC institute with India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
The two countries also agreed to enhance cooperation in critical minerals, particularly in processing and recycling, while an MoU on renewable energy is expected to give fresh momentum to their sustainability partnership.
People-to-people ties will form another important component of the relationship. India and Belgium agreed to strengthen start-up linkages, maritime-sector capacity building and university and research cooperation. The two sides also plan to conclude a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement to facilitate talent mobility.
The discussions also covered the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. Modi said both countries supported dialogue, diplomacy and efforts for an early end to conflicts, while reiterating their shared commitment to eliminating terrorism in all its forms.
Modi described the historic diamond trade and the presence of the Indian community in Antwerp as enduring links between the two countries, but said the relationship was now being transformed into a much wider partnership spanning trade, security, technology, energy and human mobility.
