Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu on 4 September held bilateral talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to advance civil aviation cooperation between India and Belgium, according to an official statement. The discussions covered direct air connectivity, air cargo enhancements for the high-value pharmaceutical sector, and advanced air mobility initiatives.

Key Developments

Bart De Wever is on a three-day official visit to India from 2–4 September, during which he also held high-level bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Those talks focused on deepening trade and investment ties and the timely implementation of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Minister Naidu confirmed the meeting on social media platform X, writing: 'Honored to meet Prime Minister of Belgium. Discussed further strengthening of India-Belgium cooperation in civil aviation, including direct air connectivity, air cargo for the high-value pharmaceutical sector and Advanced air mobility.' He added that the conclusion of the India–EU FTA 'creates tremendous potential to further deepen India–Belgium trade and investment ties.'

The India-EU FTA: What It Means

The India–EU Free Trade Agreement, described by policymakers as the 'mother of all deals', was announced in January after nearly two decades of negotiations. The pact is currently undergoing legal scrutiny and procedural formalities ahead of formal signing and implementation.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said India and the European Union are expected to sign the FTA by December this year, with the agreement likely to come into force between February and March next year.

Trade Benefits for India

Under the proposed agreement, approximately 93 per cent of Indian exports are expected to receive duty-free access to the European market. India, in turn, will eliminate tariffs on 86 per cent of tariff lines, covering 93 per cent of trade value.

Labour-intensive sectors such as fisheries, textiles, and footwear stand to gain significantly, as do exporters of chemicals and pharmaceutical goods. The deal covers the 27-member European Union bloc, one of India's largest trading partners.

Aviation Angle: Why Belgium Matters

Belgium serves as a key gateway to Europe, hosting major logistics and pharmaceutical distribution hubs. Direct air connectivity and improved cargo links — particularly for high-value medicines — could reduce transit times and costs for Indian exporters. This is the first publicly confirmed bilateral aviation discussion between the two countries at the ministerial level in the current diplomatic cycle.

What Comes Next

With the FTA on track for signing by year-end, aviation and trade working groups from both sides are expected to formalise connectivity proposals in the coming months. The outcome of De Wever's India visit is likely to set the agenda for follow-up technical-level talks on direct flight routes and cargo protocols.