Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday, 14 July held wide-ranging talks in Brussels with senior Belgian and European Union officials, covering trade, investment, technology, logistics, workforce mobility, and clean energy cooperation. The meetings mark a significant diplomatic push as India and the European Union work toward finalising a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement.

India-Belgium Bilateral Discussions

Goyal met David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy, and Agriculture of Belgium, to explore avenues for deeper bilateral engagement. 'We also exchanged views on the transformative potential of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and reaffirmed our shared commitment to further strengthening economic ties for the mutual benefit of our businesses and people,' Goyal said in a post on X.

The two sides discussed expanding collaboration across manufacturing, workforce mobility, and investment corridors — sectors where Belgium serves as a critical gateway into the broader EU market for Indian exporters.

Clean Growth and Net-Zero Agenda with EU

Goyal also met Wopke Hoekstra, EU Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth, to advance the India-EU green partnership. 'Our discussions focused on expanding collaboration in renewable energy, green hydrogen, clean technologies, innovation, investments and resilient value chains to support our shared net-zero ambitions,' the minister said.

This engagement comes amid growing global urgency around decarbonisation, with both India and the EU having committed to ambitious net-zero timelines. India's push into green hydrogen and solar manufacturing aligns closely with the EU's own clean industrial strategy, making the partnership strategically significant for both sides.

Thales Belgium: Manufacturing and Tech Partnerships

Earlier in the day, Goyal met Thomas Colinet, Managing Director, and Bruno Lete, Director of Public Affairs at Thales Belgium. He appreciated the company's existing operations in India, including manufacturing for global markets, technology partnerships, and skill development initiatives.

'We also discussed opportunities to further strengthen collaboration and encouraged the company to further expand its manufacturing footprint in India, aligned with the vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’,' Goyal said. Thales, a major defence and aerospace technology group, already has a notable presence in India, making its potential expansion a significant signal for the country's high-tech manufacturing ambitions.

India-Spain Talks: Trade, Tourism, and Supply Chains

Goyal also met Jordi Hereu, Minister of Industry and Tourism of Spain, to explore new opportunities in trade, investment, manufacturing, innovation, and tourism. 'We also exchanged views on the India-EU FTA and reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening industrial partnerships, building resilient supply chains and deepening economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations,' Goyal said.

The India-Spain engagement adds another dimension to India's European outreach, with both countries identifying future-ready sectors — including clean tech, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing — as priority areas for collaboration.

What This Signals for India's EU Strategy

The Brussels engagements reflect India's broader effort to deepen its economic architecture with Europe at a moment when global supply chains are being restructured. With the India-EU FTA negotiations gaining momentum, high-level ministerial visits like this one serve to build political will and identify sector-specific wins ahead of a formal agreement. The focus on clean growth, technology, and manufacturing aligns with India's domestic priorities under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat frameworks.