Modi praises Indian hockey teams, congratulates Belgium on WC 2026
Synopsis
On the sidelines of Belgian PM Bart De Wever's first-ever visit to India, PM Modi took a moment to praise Indian hockey players despite a below-par finish — eighth for the men, fifth for the women — while Germany and Argentina took the respective titles. The diplomatic visit itself carries weight, with defence, trade, and India-EU ties all on the table.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi congratulated Belgium and the Netherlands for co-hosting the Hockey World Cup 2026 during bilateral talks on 3 September .
The Indian men's team, led by Harmanpreet Singh , finished eighth , losing the seventh-place match to Belgium 3-4 on penalties .
The Indian women's team, led by Salima Tete , secured fifth place by beating World No.
Germany won the men's title; Argentina claimed the women's crown.
Belgian PM Bart De Wever is on a three-day official visit to India — his first since taking office in February last year.
The visit agenda covers trade, defence, renewable energy, technology , and India-EU engagement .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3 September congratulated Belgium and the Netherlands for co-hosting the Hockey World Cup 2026, and extended appreciation to both the Indian men's and women's hockey teams for their performances in the tournament. Modi made the remarks while addressing the media following a bilateral meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in New Delhi.
What Modi Said
'Belgium and the Netherlands hosted the Hockey World Cup last month. I congratulate you on this great event,' Modi said, addressing De Wever directly. He also turned attention to India's players: 'I also appreciate the hard work and dedication of my players,' he added, acknowledging the efforts of both squads despite neither reaching the podium.
The tournament saw Germany claim the men's title, while Argentina won the women's crown.
How the Indian Teams Fared
The Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian men's side endured a difficult campaign, finishing eighth overall. They were edged out by Belgium in the seventh-place classification match, losing 3-4 on penalties after the match ended 3-3 at full time. The team had earlier failed to advance from the second pool stage, finishing fourth in their group.
The Salima Tete-led women's team delivered a brighter result, securing a fifth-place finish by defeating World No. 5 Germany 3-1 in the fifth classification match. The women's side had finished third in the second pool stage but also missed out on a semifinal berth.
De Wever's Visit to India
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a three-day official visit — his first trip to India since assuming office in February last year. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken is also part of the visiting delegation. De Wever was received by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted on X welcoming the Belgian PM, noting that the visit 'provides an opportunity to further strengthen the close and multifaceted India-Belgium partnership.' The agenda spans bilateral trade, defence cooperation, renewable energy, technology, and broader India-EU engagement.
Broader Significance
The visit comes at a time when India is deepening ties with European partners across defence and clean energy. Belgium, as a key EU member and NATO ally, represents a strategic node in India's wider European outreach. Notably, this is the first high-level Belgian visit to India under De Wever's government, signalling a fresh diplomatic push between the two countries.
Point of View
Timed to a bilateral meeting with Belgium, the very team that knocked India out of the seventh-place play-off. The deeper story is De Wever's visit itself: a first-time Indian trip by the Belgian PM signals Brussels is recalibrating its bilateral priorities as India grows in strategic weight within EU foreign policy. Whether the warm optics translate into concrete defence or trade outcomes will be the real measure of this visit.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi say about the Hockey World Cup 2026?
PM Modi congratulated Belgium and the Netherlands for co-hosting the Hockey World Cup 2026 and praised the Indian men's and women's teams for their efforts in the tournament. He made the remarks after his bilateral meeting with Belgian PM Bart De Wever in New Delhi on 3 September.
How did the Indian men's hockey team finish at the Hockey World Cup 2026?
The Indian men's team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, finished eighth overall. They lost the seventh-place classification match to Belgium 3-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw at full time, having earlier failed to qualify for the semifinals from the second pool stage.
How did the Indian women's hockey team perform at the World Cup 2026?
The Salima Tete-led Indian women's team finished fifth, defeating World No. 5 Germany 3-1 in the fifth classification match. They had finished third in the second pool stage but did not qualify for the semifinals.
Who won the Hockey World Cup 2026 men's and women's titles?
Germany won the men's Hockey World Cup 2026 title, while Argentina claimed the women's crown.
What is the purpose of Belgian PM Bart De Wever's visit to India?
De Wever's three-day official visit to India — his first since taking office in February last year — focuses on strengthening bilateral trade, defence cooperation, renewable energy, technology, and deepening India-EU engagement. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken is also part of the delegation.
