Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever Begins Official Visit to India
Belgian PM's Arrival in New Delhi
File image of Belgium's PM Bart De Wever arrived in New Delhi and was received by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth(Photo: @osintspectator/X)
New Delhi, Sep 3: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has landed in New Delhi for a three-day official visit to India.
This marks PM De Wever's inaugural trip to India since he took office in February of the previous year. Accompanying him is Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken.
On the agenda for today, the Prime Minister is set to engage in bilateral discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed him on social media, stating, "A very warm welcome to Prime Minister Bart De Wever of Belgium as he arrives in New Delhi on an official visit. He was received by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth."
According to the MEA, this visit aims to enhance the already strong and diverse partnership between India and Belgium.
Key focus areas of the visit include boosting bilateral trade, defence collaboration, renewable energy initiatives, technology exchange, and enhancing broader India-EU relations.
Prior to his arrival, the MEA indicated that PM De Wever and PM Modi would discuss a wide range of bilateral matters, along with regional and global topics of shared interest. Additionally, PM De Wever is scheduled to give a keynote speech at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event, which will touch upon the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Following his engagements in New Delhi, Bart De Wever will head to Mumbai to meet with various stakeholders from sectors such as diamonds, ports, and logistics.
The MEA emphasized that this visit is a chance to further solidify the India-Belgium partnership and enhance cooperation in trade, investment, defence, security, technology, renewable energy, connectivity, and cultural exchanges, while also deepening India-EU relations.
Belgium was among the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with independent India back in September 1947. The strong ties between India and Belgium are founded on shared principles, including a commitment to the rule of law, federalism, and pluralism, as noted by the Indian Embassy in Brussels.
Belgium also backs India's aspiration for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).