Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a three-day official visit to India, during which he will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The visit is De Wever’s first to India since he assumed office in February 2025. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken is also part of the visiting delegation.
De Wever is scheduled to meet PM Modi later on Thursday for discussions covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a post on X, said De Wever was received by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth.
“Welcome to India! A very warm welcome to Prime Minister Bart De Wever of Belgium as he arrives in New Delhi on an official visit,” the MEA said.
“The visit provides an opportunity to further strengthen the close and multifaceted India-Belgium partnership,” it added.
The visit is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral trade and investment, defence and security cooperation, renewable energy, technology, connectivity and people-to-people ties, besides deepening India-EU engagement.
De Wever will also deliver a keynote address at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) business event in the context of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
After concluding his engagements in New Delhi, De Wever will travel to Mumbai, where he is scheduled to meet stakeholders from sectors including diamonds, ports and logistics.
The MEA had earlier said the visit would provide an opportunity to advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest and further deepen India-EU and India-Europe engagement.
Belgium was among the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with independent India, doing so in September 1947. According to the Indian Embassy in Brussels, the bilateral relationship is based on shared values, including the rule of law, federalism and pluralism.
Belgium also supports India’s bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
(IANS Inputs)
