Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3 September declared defence and security cooperation a 'key pillar' of the India-Belgium relationship, announcing that both nations have agreed to deepen military exchanges, training cooperation, and intelligence sharing. The declaration came at a joint press conference in New Delhi alongside Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever following bilateral talks.

Defence and Security Commitments

Modi said the two governments and their respective defence industries have reached agreements that will 'open up new opportunities for defence co-development and co-production.' He specifically cited collaboration on modern defence equipment, including the Zorawar tank, as a concrete example of the deepening strategic partnership. Both sides also committed to strengthening cooperation between their agencies on intelligence sharing and cross-border crime.

Economic Agenda and Trade Targets

On the economic front, the two leaders announced an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism for Belgian companies operating in India and agreed to make the India-Belgium Business Forum a regular institutional mechanism. Modi set an ambition of doubling bilateral trade within the next five years, underpinned by the India-EU Free Trade Agreement signed in January, which he said would strengthen global stability and shared prosperity. Plans to enhance synergy between the financial, fintech, and regulatory institutions of both countries were also announced.

Clean Energy and Semiconductors

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on renewable energy was signed, which Modi described as giving 'new momentum' to bilateral sustainability cooperation. Both nations agreed to enhance cooperation in the processing and recycling of critical minerals. Notably, the two sides will work to integrate Belgium's IMEC Institute with India's semiconductor ecosystem, leveraging Belgium's expertise in the sector alongside India's manufacturing scale. A flagship project — one of the world's largest green ammonia plants — is being developed jointly in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.

Historical Ties and Shared Values

Modi invoked the shared historical memory of Indian soldiers who fought and sacrificed in Belgium during the First World War, calling it a 'vital part of our shared memory.' He described India and Belgium as 'natural partners' bound by democratic values, a market economy, and strong people-to-people ties. He added that the bilateral partnership has made 'remarkable progress' over the past decade, expanding from traditional sectors into strategic domains.

India's Economic Momentum

Modi also used the occasion to highlight India's economic resilience, noting that the country recorded 7.8 per cent growth in the last quarter despite global disruptions — including ongoing conflicts and supply chain uncertainty affecting food and fuel. 'India's growth story is becoming a source of confidence and new opportunities for the world,' he said. The remarks reinforced India's positioning as a stable economic partner for European nations navigating geopolitical turbulence.

The outcomes of the summit signal a broadening of India-Belgium ties well beyond trade into strategic and technological cooperation, with implementation frameworks now in place to move from intent to action.