 India–Belgium Relations Enter a New Strategic Phase Through Defence, Technology, Trade, Clean Energy and Maritime Cooperation

Recent Developments:

• Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever visited India from 2–4 September 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking his first visit to India since assuming office in February 2025 and the first visit by a Belgian Prime Minister to India in nearly two decades.
• India and Belgium agreed to broaden bilateral cooperation across defence, counter-terrorism, trade, investment, semiconductors, critical minerals, renewable energy, maritime security, research and talent mobility.
• The two countries agreed to double bilateral trade over the next five years and launched an India–Belgium Investment Fast-Track Mechanism to facilitate investment and resolve business-related bottlenecks.
• The visit produced a Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation, covering military exchanges, training, research, exercises, maritime security and defence-industrial cooperation.
• India and Belgium also agreed to deepen cooperation in semiconductors, including greater engagement between Belgium’s imec research ecosystem and India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

Background of India–Belgium Relations:

Political and Diplomatic Relations:

• Belgium was among the early European countries to establish diplomatic relations with independent India in September 1947, and the relationship is based on shared commitment to the rule of law, pluralism and democratic values.
• The bilateral relationship has traditionally been driven by trade and investment, but recent developments indicate a transition towards a broader strategic partnership covering security, technology, energy and connectivity.
• Belgium is particularly important for India because of its location at the heart of the European Union, making bilateral engagement relevant to India’s wider European strategy.

Institutional Mechanisms:

• The India–Belgium–Luxembourg Economic Union Joint Commission, established in 1997, provides an institutional framework for economic cooperation.
• India and Belgium have also developed cooperation through ministerial dialogues, business forums and sector-specific mechanisms covering investment, technology, energy and security.
• An India–Belgium Business Forum is being strengthened as a regular platform for promoting commercial partnerships and investment.

Economic Relations:

Trade and Investment:

• Trade and investment remain the traditional foundation of India–Belgium relations, particularly because of strong commercial linkages in diamonds, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery and other industrial sectors.
• Belgium’s Antwerp is a major international diamond-trading centre, while Mumbai and Surat are important nodes in India’s diamond-processing and trading ecosystem.
• The European Commission identifies pearls and precious stones, machinery, optical and medical instruments among important Belgian exports to India, highlighting the scope for diversification beyond diamonds.
• India and Belgium have now set an objective of doubling bilateral trade within five years, indicating an effort to move from traditional commerce towards technology-intensive and strategic sectors.

Diversification of Economic Engagement:

• Emerging areas include pharmaceuticals, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, defence, aerospace, digital technologies, fintech, renewable energy, critical minerals and semiconductors.
• The Investment Fast-Track Mechanism can reduce administrative barriers and improve predictability for Belgian investors in India.
• India and Belgium also intend to strengthen cooperation between Belgium’s Federal Holding and Investment Company and India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, creating opportunities for long-term investment partnerships.

Defence and Security Cooperation:

Defence Cooperation Framework:

• Defence has emerged as a new strategic pillar of bilateral relations, moving the partnership beyond its traditional economic focus.
• The Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation provides a framework for regular exchanges, staff talks, education and training, research, exercises and defence-industrial partnerships.
• Cooperation is expected to promote technology transfer, co-development, co-production and industrial partnerships, supporting India’s objective of greater defence self-reliance.
• Belgium has also decided to appoint a Defence Attaché in New Delhi, while India plans to appoint a resident Defence Attaché in Brussels.

Defence Industrial Cooperation:

• Belgian and Indian companies are exploring collaboration in drones, rockets, ammunition, mine-countermeasure systems, tanks, radar, electro-optical systems and counter-drone technologies.
• Cooperation between Exail Belgium and Larsen & Toubro in autonomous systems for mine-countermeasure vessels is significant for India’s maritime security capabilities.
• Other industrial opportunities include 70-mm rocket systems, counter-drone systems, electro-optical equipment for armoured platforms, air-defence software and marine technologies.
• Such cooperation can strengthen India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem, while providing Belgian companies access to India’s industrial capacity and large defence market.

Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Cooperation:

Security Cooperation:

• India and Belgium agreed to strengthen intelligence and information sharing between security agencies to combat terrorism, organised crime and other transnational threats.
• The two countries are exploring a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, with potential cooperation against terrorist financing, terrorist networks and safe havens.
• An agreement involving India’s Central Bureaof Investigation and Belgium’s Federal Police is intended to improve cooperation against transnational organised crime and cybercrime.
• Cooperation in tracing fugitives, capacity building and exchange of investigative best practices can strengthen India’s response to cross-border criminal networks.

Semiconductors and Emerging Technologies:

Semiconductor Cooperation:

• Semiconductors have become a major area of India–Belgium cooperation because both countries possess complementary capabilities.
• Belgium hosts imec, a globally significant semiconductor research and innovation ecosystem, while India offers a large market, engineering talent and expanding semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
• The two countries plan to connect imec with India’s semiconductor ecosystem to support advanced research, innovation and resilient technology supply chains.
• Cooperation in artificial intelligence, start-ups, digital skills and emerging technologies can further integrate the two innovation ecosystems.

Strategic Significance:

• Semiconductor cooperation can reduce excessive dependence on concentrated global supply chains and support technology sovereignty and supply-chain resilience.
• For India, Belgian technological expertise can complement domestic initiatives under the India Semiconductor Mission and broader efforts to develop a complete semiconductor ecosystem.

Renewable Energy and Critical Minerals:

Clean Energy Cooperation:

• India and Belgium have renewed and expanded cooperation on renewable energy, including green hydrogen, solar energy, energy storage, offshore wind, bioenergy, small hydropower and pumped storage.
• Green hydrogen cooperation is particularly relevant because India seeks to develop domestic clean-energy production while Belgium can provide technological and industrial linkages with European markets.
• Cooperation in clean technologies can support India’s energy transition, decarbonisation and energy security objectives.

Critical Minerals:

• Both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in critical mineral processing and recycling, which is important for batteries, electronics, renewable-energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.
• Such cooperation can contribute to diversification of supply chains and reduce vulnerabilities arising from excessive dependence on limited geographical sources.

Maritime and Port Cooperation:

Maritime Security:

• India and Belgium identified maritime and port cooperation as an important emerging area of bilateral engagement.
• Potential areas include port development, logistics, connectivity, dredging, offshore wind infrastructure and maritime training.
• Belgium’s maritime and dredging expertise can complement India’s efforts to modernise ports and strengthen the broader Blue Economy.

Strategic Importance:

• Cooperation in mine countermeasures, autonomous maritime systems, underwater robotics and advanced sensors can strengthen maritime domain awareness and protection of critical infrastructure.
• Secure sea lanes are essential for international trade, energy flows and global supply chains, making maritime cooperation relevant to both Indian Ocean security and wider Indo-Pacific stability.

India–EU Dimension:

European Strategic Context:

• Belgium’s importance extends beyond bilateral relations because it is a member of the European Union and hosts major EU institutions.
• Stronger India–Belgium relations can therefore support India’s broader engagement with the EU on trade, technology, investment, defence, climate action and connectivity.
• The EU and India concluded negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement on 27 January 2026, creating a broader framework for expanding economic engagement.
• The EU–India agreement is particularly relevant to Belgium because Belgian exports to India include significant volumes of precious stones, machinery and industrial products, while services such as financial and maritime activities also offer opportunities.

People-to-People and Knowledge Cooperation:

Education, Research and Mobility:

• India and Belgium are seeking stronger cooperation in higher education, scientific research, astronomy, astrophysics, space technologies and skill development.
• Belgium’s universities and research institutions can contribute to India’s knowledge economy through joint research, academic partnerships and technology development.
• The two sides are also working towards greater mobility of students, researchers, professionals and business travellers, including enhanced visa processing and direct air connectivity.
• Cooperation in healthcare, including opportunities for qualified Indian nurses, can strengthen human-capital linkages between the two countries.

Global and Regional Issues:

Shared Approach to International Challenges:

• India and Belgium discussed the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia and emphasised dialogue, diplomacy and respect for the UN Charter and international law.
• Both countries highlighted the importance of maintaining safe and unimpeded maritime shipping, reflecting their shared interest in secure international trade routes.
• Belgium has expressed support for India’s efforts against terrorism and cross-border terrorism, strengthening the security dimension of the relationship.

Significance for India:

Strategic and Economic Benefits:

• The emerging partnership can provide India with access to specialised European technologies, advanced research capabilities and industrial expertise.
• Defence-industrial cooperation can support Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and defence export ambitions through co-production and technology partnerships.
• Semiconductor and critical-mineral cooperation can strengthen strategic autonomy and supply-chain resilience.
• Renewable-energy cooperation can accelerate India’s green transition and strengthen cooperation with European clean-technology ecosystems.
• Stronger maritime cooperation can improve India’s capabilities in port infrastructure, underwater systems and maritime security.
• Belgium can also serve as an important gateway for deeper Indian engagement with the European Union.

Challenges and Way Forward:

Key Challenges:

• India must ensure that defence cooperation results in meaningful technology absorption and domestic manufacturing, rather than remaining limited to equipment procurement.
• Bilateral trade diversification requires reducing excessive dependence on traditional diamond and precious-stone commerce.
• Differences in regulatory standards, intellectual property, market access and sustainability requirements may affect the expansion of economic ties.
• Semiconductor cooperation requires sustained investment in research, skilled manpower, infrastructure and high-end manufacturing capabilities.

Way Forward:

• India and Belgium should institutionalise defence-industrial working groups and prioritise joint development and production.
• The countries should strengthen critical-mineral supply chains, semiconductor research and clean-energy value chains.
• The Investment Fast-Track Mechanism should be used to promote long-term investment in manufacturing, technology and infrastructure.
• Greater cooperation with the EU should be leveraged to integrate bilateral initiatives with India’s broader European and Indo-Pacific strategies.

Conclusion:

• The India–Belgium partnership is increasingly becoming a technology-enabled strategic and economic partnership, in which defence cooperation, semiconductor technology, critical minerals, clean energy and maritime security complement the traditional foundations of trade and investment.