India and Belgium agreed on Thursday to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, clean energy and other strategic areas, following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Belgian counterpart Bart De Wever in New Delhi.
The two leaders discussed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. Modi said the countries had agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, defence, clean energy, critical minerals, semiconductors, research and talent mobility.
The two sides also set a target of doubling bilateral trade over the next five years. India-Belgium bilateral trade stood at $10.92 billion in 2025-26, according to the Indian government.
On defence, India and Belgium signed a Letter of Intent establishing a framework for regular exchanges, staff talks, education and training, research cooperation and defence-industrial partnerships. The two sides also welcomed agreements between the Belgian Security and Defence Industry (BDSI) and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) aimed at advancing defence manufacturing, technology, innovation, co-development and co-production.
The countries also renewed an agreement on renewable energy cooperation, expanding collaboration in areas including green hydrogen, solar energy, energy storage, offshore wind, bio-energy, small hydropower and pumped storage.
The meeting also saw the launch of an India-Belgium Investment Fast-Track Mechanism to facilitate investments in both countries, address business bottlenecks and support long-term economic cooperation.
The agreement comes as India and the European Union seek to deepen economic ties. In January, India and the EU reached a long-delayed trade deal aimed at cutting tariffs on most goods and boosting two-way trade amid growing global trade tensions.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal highlighted the role of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in translating the trade agreement into greater physical movement of goods between India and Europe, describing the port as “Europe’s second largest seaport” and the “doorway” through which the FTA’s promise will reach Europe and India.
Goyal also pointed to the port’s connectivity, saying its inland barge, rail and road networks, combined with Bruges’ deep-water, roll-on/roll-off and automotive capabilities, offer Indian exporters a route into Europe’s major industrial and consumer markets.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever similarly emphasised the potential for Antwerp-Bruges to become a key gateway for Indian trade following the FTA.
“The Free Trade Agreement is a foundation. So much can be built on it.”
De Wever noted that tariffs on more than 95% of Indian and European goods exports would be scrapped or reduced, creating opportunities across sectors including textiles, clothing, footwear, machinery and automotive components.
He also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in maritime infrastructure and green energy, pointing to Belgium’s experience in port development and dredging and India’s ambitions in green hydrogen.
De Wever announced that Antwerp-Bruges will bring a delegation from the port community to India in February next year, comprising companies, terminals, logistics, chemicals and energy stakeholders.
“We are not coming to discuss what we might do. We are coming to agree on what we are going to do together,” he said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in June that the EU-India trade agreement would be formally signed by the end of 2026.
India’s economy expanded 7.8% year-on-year in the April-June quarter, according to data released on August 31, beating forecasts.
