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India and Belgium agree to double trade and expand defence ties
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is conducting a three-day official visit to India, marking the first visit by a Belgian Prime Minister to the country in two decades. During bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, the two leaders agreed to significantly expand strategic cooperation across several key sectors, including defence, trade, investment, critical minerals, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security.
A primary economic objective established during the summit is to double bilateral trade between India and Belgium within the next five years. To facilitate this, an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism will be established to promote Belgian investments in India. The discussions also highlighted the importance of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement in providing economic resilience against global supply chain disruptions.
In the defence sector, multiple agreements were signed to foster industrial cooperation, focusing on the co-development and co-production of military equipment. This includes leveraging Belgian technology for production in India, specifically regarding rocket systems. Additionally, the two nations agreed to enhance military exchanges, training, and intelligence sharing to combat transnational crime and terrorism.
Technological cooperation will see a specific focus on the semiconductor industry, with plans to link Belgium’s Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (IMEC) with India’s semiconductor ecosystem. The visit also included engagements in Mumbai, where De Wever met with stakeholders in the diamond, logistics, and port sectors, emphasizing the deep-rooted historical ties in the international diamond trade.
Entities
Bart De Wever · Belgium · Confederation of Indian Industry · India · Ministry of External Affairs · Narendra Modi · Rajnath Singh · Theo Francken
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 9 SOURCES] This is the first visit to India by a Belgian Prime Minister in twenty years. www.swatantraawaz.com · navbharatlive.com · munsifdaily.com · www.bhaskarhindi.com · www.diamondworld.net · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] De Wever will deliver a keynote address at a Confederation of Indian Industry event. navbharatlive.com · munsifdaily.com · www.mangalorean.com · www.bhaskarhindi.com · www.swatantraawaz.com
- [● 21 SOURCES] Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks in New Delhi. www.swatantraawaz.com · navbharatlive.com · www.brasil247.com · www.thefinancialworld.com · munsifdaily.com · +12 more
- [● 16 SOURCES] India and Belgium aim to double bilateral trade within the next five years. www.swatantraawaz.com · navbharatlive.com · news.abplive.com · www.brasil247.com · munsifdaily.com · +7 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is on a three-day official visit to India. navbharatlive.com · munsifdaily.com · www.indiastrategic.in
- [● 10 SOURCES] The Belgian delegation includes Defence and Trade Minister Theo Francken. navbharatlive.com · www.thefinancialworld.com · munsifdaily.com · www.indiastrategic.in · fr.businessam.be
- [● 7 SOURCES] Prime Minister De Wever will visit Mumbai to meet with diamond, port, and logistics stakeholders. navbharatlive.com · munsifdaily.com · www.bhaskarhindi.com · www.mangalorean.com · www.diamondworld.net · +1 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] The bilateral cooperation focuses on trade, defence, renewable energy, and technology. navbharatlive.com · munsifdaily.com · www.mangalorean.com · www.hindimilap.com · www.indiastrategic.in · +4 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The two nations aim to double bilateral trade within five years. www.mangalorean.com · www.news9live.com · odishabytes.com · www.hindimilap.com · indiaseatradenews.com · +3 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] India and Belgium plan to link Belgium’s IMEC with India’s semiconductor ecosystem. www.electronicsforyou.biz