Modi-De Wever talks: India, Belgium to double trade, sign 4 MoUs
Synopsis
Belgian PM Bart De Wever's New Delhi visit — the first by a Belgian head of government in 20 years — produced four MoUs and a commitment to double bilateral trade within five years. With semiconductors, critical minerals, and fintech on the agenda alongside an India-EU FTA backdrop, this is more than a courtesy call: it is a structural reset of India-Belgium ties.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi and Belgian PM Bart De Wever held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House, New Delhi on 3 September 2025 .
Four MoUs were signed covering defence, renewable energy, combating crime , and diplomatic training .
Both sides agreed to double bilateral trade within five years and establish a business forum, investment forum, and consular dialogue.
De Wever's visit is the first by a Belgian PM to India in two decades and his first since taking office in February 2024 .
The visit follows the Belgian Economic Mission led by Princess Astrid in March 2025 .
De Wever is scheduled to travel to Mumbai on Friday to engage stakeholders in the diamond, ports, and logistics sectors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday, 3 September, reviewing the full range of India-Belgium relations and committing to a significant expansion of ties across defence, trade, and technology. The meeting marks the first visit by a Belgian Prime Minister to India in two decades.
Key Agreements Signed
The two leaders witnessed the exchange of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering defence, renewable energy, combating crime, and establishing diplomatic training between the two nations. The two sides also agreed to double bilateral trade within five years and to establish a business forum, an investment forum, and a consular dialogue to institutionalise engagement.
What the Leaders Discussed
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the talks covered defence, trade, investment, innovation, semiconductors, fintech, critical minerals, people-to-people ties, and academic and research cooperation. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The MEA posted on X: 'The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations... and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the close and multifaceted India-Belgium partnership.'
Senior officials present at the meeting included National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Principal Secretary to the PM PK Mishra, and MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George.
Context: First Belgian PM Visit in 20 Years
De Wever's visit is his first to India since assuming office in February 2024 and the first by a Belgian head of government to India in two decades. It builds on the Belgian Economic Mission led by Princess Astrid in March 2025, signalling sustained high-level momentum between the two countries. Notably, the visit is taking place in the context of ongoing India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, lending it added strategic weight.
De Wever's India Programme
Later on Thursday, Prime Minister De Wever delivered a keynote address at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) business event focused on the India-EU FTA. On Friday, he is scheduled to travel to Mumbai, where he will engage with stakeholders from the diamond, ports, and logistics sectors — industries where Belgium and India share deep commercial ties.
The visit is expected to lay the groundwork for a more structured bilateral framework, with trade doubling targets and new institutional forums signalling that India-Belgium ties are entering a more transactional, results-oriented phase.
Point of View
But the substance is what deserves scrutiny. The commitment to double bilateral trade in five years is ambitious — India and Belgium already share considerable diamond-trade interdependence through Antwerp — yet the mechanism to achieve that target remains undefined. The inclusion of semiconductors and critical minerals on the agenda reflects India's broader supply-chain diversification drive, with Belgium's port infrastructure and chemical industry making it a credible partner. The India-EU FTA shadow over this visit is the real subtext: Brussels is watching whether bilateral momentum with individual EU states can accelerate a deal that has stalled for years.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was agreed during PM Modi's meeting with Belgian PM Bart De Wever?
The two leaders signed four MoUs covering defence, renewable energy, combating crime, and diplomatic training. They also agreed to double bilateral trade within five years and set up a business forum, investment forum, and consular dialogue.
Why is Bart De Wever's visit to India significant?
It is the first visit by a Belgian Prime Minister to India in two decades, and De Wever's first trip to India since assuming office in February 2024. The visit signals a structural reset in India-Belgium relations and comes amid active India-EU FTA negotiations.
What sectors did India and Belgium discuss during the talks?
The talks covered defence, trade, investment, innovation, semiconductors, fintech, critical minerals, people-to-people ties, and academic and research cooperation, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
What is De Wever's schedule for the rest of his India visit?
After bilateral talks and a CII keynote in New Delhi on Thursday, De Wever is scheduled to travel to Mumbai on Friday, where he will meet stakeholders from the diamond, ports, and logistics sectors.
How does this visit connect to the India-EU Free Trade Agreement?
De Wever's keynote at the CII business event was held in the context of the India-EU FTA negotiations. Belgium, as an EU member state, has a stake in the broader trade deal, and the bilateral momentum is seen as complementary to the wider EU-India engagement.
