PM Modi, Belgium's De Wever hold bilateral talks at Hyderabad House
Synopsis
Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever is in New Delhi for the first Belgian PM visit to India in two decades — and the agenda goes well beyond ceremony. With Defence Minister Theo Francken in tow and a CII address framed around the India-EU FTA, this is as much a strategic reset as a diplomatic courtesy call.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi and Belgian PM Bart De Wever held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House, New Delhi on 3 September .
This is the first visit by a Belgian Prime Minister to India in two decades .
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken is part of the visiting delegation, placing defence cooperation on the agenda.
De Wever paid floral tributes at Rajghat before the summit talks.
De Wever will address a CII business event on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) later on Thursday.
The Belgian PM travels to Mumbai on Friday to engage stakeholders in the diamond, ports, and logistics sectors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday, 3 September, as the two leaders sat down to cover the full spectrum of India-Belgium relations alongside pressing regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Key Developments
Earlier in the day, De Wever paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, a gesture that Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described as reflecting 'the shared values that underpin the close friendship between India and Belgium.' In a post on X, Jaiswal wrote: 'The life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi continue to inspire the world.'
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken is also part of the visiting delegation, signalling that defence and security cooperation is firmly on the agenda.
First Belgian PM Visit to India in Two Decades
De Wever arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a three-day visit — his first to India since assuming office in February 2024. Notably, this is the first visit by a Belgian Prime Minister to India in two decades, marking what officials describe as a significant new phase in bilateral ties. The visit builds on the Belgian Economic Mission led by Princess Astrid in March 2025, underscoring a sustained push to deepen engagement.
Trade, EU FTA and the CII Address
Later on Thursday, De Wever is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) business event, framed in the context of the ongoing India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. Belgium, home to key EU institutions in Brussels, holds particular diplomatic weight in shaping India's broader engagement with Europe.
Mumbai Engagements: Diamond, Ports and Logistics
After concluding his New Delhi programme, De Wever will travel to Mumbai on Friday, where he will meet stakeholders from the diamond, ports, and logistics sectors — industries where India-Belgium commercial ties are historically deep. Antwerp remains one of the world's premier diamond trading hubs, and Indian diamond merchants have long maintained a significant presence there.
What the MEA Said
The MEA stated that the visit 'will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the India-Belgium partnership and advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, defence and security, technology, renewable energy, connectivity and people-to-people ties, as well as to further deepen India-EU and India-Europe engagement.' With the India-EU FTA still under negotiation, the timing of this visit carries added strategic weight.
The two sides are expected to formalise agreements or issue a joint statement before De Wever departs, with outcomes likely to shape the bilateral roadmap for the next several years.
Point of View
Brussels appears to be positioning itself as a bridge between New Delhi and the EU at a moment when both sides have strong incentives to close a trade deal. The diamond and ports engagements in Mumbai add a commercial layer that will be watched closely by industry. The real deliverable to track is whether this visit produces concrete FTA momentum or remains a high-visibility visit without binding outcomes.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Belgian PM Bart De Wever visiting India?
De Wever is on a three-day official visit to India to strengthen bilateral ties across trade, defence, technology, and renewable energy. The visit also comes in the context of ongoing India-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations, where Belgium — home to key EU institutions — holds significant influence.
When was the last time a Belgian Prime Minister visited India?
This is the first visit by a Belgian Prime Minister to India in two decades, making De Wever's trip a landmark moment in India-Belgium diplomatic relations. It builds on the Belgian Economic Mission led by Princess Astrid in March 2025.
What is on the agenda for the India-Belgium talks?
The two leaders are expected to discuss trade and investment, defence and security, technology, renewable energy, connectivity, and people-to-people ties, as well as broader India-EU and India-Europe engagement. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken is also part of the delegation.
What will De Wever do in Mumbai?
After his New Delhi engagements, De Wever will travel to Mumbai on Friday to meet stakeholders from the diamond, ports, and logistics sectors — areas where India-Belgium commercial ties are historically significant, given Antwerp's role as a global diamond trading hub.
What is the significance of De Wever's CII address?
De Wever is scheduled to deliver a keynote at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event focused on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. The address signals Belgium's intent to play an active role in facilitating closer India-EU trade ties at a critical stage of FTA negotiations.
