India and Belgium Expand Strategic Ties in Defense and Trade

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in New Delhi on September 3, 2026, for De Wever's first official visit to India. The leaders announced an expansion of bilateral ties into strategic sectors, specifically highlighting collaboration on the Zorawar tank and the development of one of the world's largest green ammonia projects in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.

To accelerate economic growth, the two nations established an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism for Belgian companies and agreed to make the India-Belgium Business Forum a regular mechanism with the goal of doubling bilateral trade within five years. The leaders also planned a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement and sought to strengthen startup connections and maritime capacity building. This diplomatic push follows a historic Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union.

On September 4, Bart De Wever visited the Bharat Diamond Bourse in Mumbai, marking the first visit to India by a Belgian Prime Minister in 20 years. De Wever emphasized the historic diamond trade connection between Mumbai and Antwerp, noting that the India-EU Free Trade Agreement provides a milestone to expand cooperation into logistics, services, technology, and investment.