Modi-De Wever Talks: Belgium Backs India’s UN Bid as Defence, Trade Ties Get Major Push

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By TRH Foreign Affairs Desk

India and Belgium agree to deepen economic, defence, technology, renewable energy and counter-terrorism cooperation, while Belgium backs India’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat

New Delhi, September 3, 2026 — India and Belgium have agreed to further deepen and diversify their bilateral partnership across trade, investment, defence, technology, energy, security and people-to-people ties during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s official visit to India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and De Wever held bilateral talks and reviewed the full range of India-Belgium relations. The two leaders also welcomed the launch of the inaugural India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue in Brussels in July 2026, describing it as a regular mechanism to advance cooperation in trade and investment, green transition, technology, connectivity, defence, security and people-to-people ties.

A key diplomatic takeaway was Belgium’s reaffirmation of support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council. The two countries also agreed to support each other’s candidature for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

India-EU FTA and Trade Push

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and called for the early conclusion of negotiations on the EU-India Investment Protection Agreement and the Agreement on Geographical Indications.

They called the India-EU FTA a historic milestone and sought its timely implementation to expand trade and investment, diversify critical value chains and open new markets. The leaders also expressed their determination to double bilateral trade between India and Belgium in the next five years.

Cooperation is expected to expand across pharmaceuticals, life sciences, healthcare, semiconductors, chemicals, defence, critical minerals, nuclear energy, manufacturing and digital technologies. The two sides also highlighted the longstanding diamond trade connecting Antwerp with Mumbai and Surat.

Defence and Counter-Terrorism

Defence cooperation emerged as another important pillar. The two countries welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent between their Defence Ministries, providing a framework for regular exchanges, staff talks, education and training, research cooperation and defence-industrial partnerships.

Belgium also conveyed solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025. The two sides expressed an intention to explore a Belgium-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.

The countries also welcomed a new MoU between the Central Bureau of Investigation of India and the Federal Police of Belgium covering cooperation against transnational organised crime and cybercrime, including information sharing, capacity building and tracing fugitives.

Green Energy, Technology and Mobility

India and Belgium also renewed their commitment to cooperation in renewable energy, including green hydrogen, solar energy, energy storage, offshore wind, bio-energy and pumped storage.

The two leaders encouraged deeper semiconductor cooperation involving Indian institutions and Belgium’s imec, while also backing greater collaboration in artificial intelligence, startups, innovation and digital skills.

The joint statement also highlighted faster visa processing, mobility of skilled professionals and students, direct air connectivity, healthcare cooperation and academic partnerships. Modi invited leading Belgian universities to explore opening campuses in India under India’s New Education Policy.

The two Prime Ministers also discussed developments in Ukraine and West Asia and reaffirmed support for dialogue and diplomacy, while stressing the importance of safe and unimpeded maritime shipping.