Belgian Economic Mission in India: Over 350 business and industry leaders exploring partnerships in climate & renewable energy, aerospace & defence
| 2025-03-03
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with members of the Belgian Economic Mission to India led by Princess Astrid in New Delhi on March 3, 2025.
The India-Belgium bilateral partnership has the potential to expand into new sectors, says EAM Jaishankar
India-Belgium collaboration is set to get a boost in diverse sectors including defence and aerospace, infrastructure and construction, and clean energy. Over 350 business and industry leaders from Belgium, led by Princess Astrid, are currently in India as part of the Belgian Economic Mission to India to explore new opportunities by positioning Belgium as an attractive partner and gateway to the European market.
The Belgian delegation had extensive discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
‘Visit an Opportunity to Assess What is Happening in India’
Belgium Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, who is part of the delegation, met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Monday (March 3, 2025), with the latter saying that the bilateral partnership now has the potential to expand into new sectors.
“A pleasure meeting DPM & FM @prevotmaxime of Belgium this morning in New Delhi.
Held comprehensive discussions on advancing our bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, clean energy, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, digital, mobility and defense. Highlighted new opportunities for ‘Make in India, Design in India and Research in India’.
Also spoke about furthering our EU and multilateral cooperation, as well as global and regional developments,” EAM Jaihankar said on social media platform X.
“We have a steady relationship across a range of sectors like trade, industry, education, innovation, culture. Today, this has the possibility of growing in a more contemporary format,” EAM Jaishankar said during his opening remarks at the meeting with his Belgian counterpart as he referred to areas like semiconductors, AI, clean energy, research and innovation.
“Close to 360 businesses coming to India is really impressive. This will give them an opportunity to assess what is happening in India,” he said, adding that they could take advantage of Make in India in addition to designing, researching, and innovating in India.
“We are very confident that the economic mission will lead to a higher level of cooperation,” EAM Jaishankar remarked.
The External Affairs Minister also expressed confidence that Princess Astrid’s visit would foster greater collaborations for a stronger India - Belgium and India - EU partnership.
Belgian Economic Mission Discusses Collaboration in Key Sectors
The mission headed by Princess Astrid also held meetings with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday.
During his meeting Princess Astrid and his Belgian counterpart Theo Francken, Defence Minister Singh discussed ways to boost defence industrial cooperation between the two sides.
The discussions with Goyal covered collaboration opportunities in key areas like trade, infrastructure, clean energy and defence .
“Held a productive meeting with HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE @PrevotMaxime, Minister of Defence & Foreign Trade, HE @FranckenTheo, and Minister-President of the Flemish Government, Government of Flanders, HE @MDiependaele, along with other officials.
We discussed collaboration opportunities in key areas including trade, infrastructure, clean energy & defence to further deepen the India-Belgium bilateral partnership.
Also, reaffirmed our commitment to fostering a transparent & investor-friendly environment for the shared growth and prosperity of both nations,” Goyal said on social media platform X after their meeting.
According to official data, nearly 200 Belgian companies are active in India and the bilateral trade stands at €11 billion. “Through Make in India and the EU-India free trade talks, we can further strengthen our economic footprint,” Belgian Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Prevot said on the eve of the mission’s departure to India on February 28, 2025.
“The mission is a unique opportunity for Belgian companies to open new markets in the world's most populous country, drive innovation and create jobs in Belgium,” he pointed out.
The Belgian Economic Mission’s visit from March 2-8, 2025 assumes significance as it comes on the heels of the visit by the College of European Commissioners on February 27-28, 2025.
The focus areas for the Belgian delegation include the defence sector; it aims to do so by exploring new business opportunities that have arisen due to recent reforms in India's procurement policy. The mission is also holding discussions on the construction sector, climate and renewable energy, water and waste management, and women’s empowerment.
The second leg of the Belgian Economic Mission will take them to Mumbai for discussions with Indian industry and business leaders.
The Belgian delegation had extensive discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
‘Visit an Opportunity to Assess What is Happening in India’
Belgium Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, who is part of the delegation, met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Monday (March 3, 2025), with the latter saying that the bilateral partnership now has the potential to expand into new sectors.
“A pleasure meeting DPM & FM @prevotmaxime of Belgium this morning in New Delhi.
Held comprehensive discussions on advancing our bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, clean energy, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, digital, mobility and defense. Highlighted new opportunities for ‘Make in India, Design in India and Research in India’.
Also spoke about furthering our EU and multilateral cooperation, as well as global and regional developments,” EAM Jaihankar said on social media platform X.
“We have a steady relationship across a range of sectors like trade, industry, education, innovation, culture. Today, this has the possibility of growing in a more contemporary format,” EAM Jaishankar said during his opening remarks at the meeting with his Belgian counterpart as he referred to areas like semiconductors, AI, clean energy, research and innovation.
“Close to 360 businesses coming to India is really impressive. This will give them an opportunity to assess what is happening in India,” he said, adding that they could take advantage of Make in India in addition to designing, researching, and innovating in India.
“We are very confident that the economic mission will lead to a higher level of cooperation,” EAM Jaishankar remarked.
The External Affairs Minister also expressed confidence that Princess Astrid’s visit would foster greater collaborations for a stronger India - Belgium and India - EU partnership.
Belgian Economic Mission Discusses Collaboration in Key Sectors
The mission headed by Princess Astrid also held meetings with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday.
During his meeting Princess Astrid and his Belgian counterpart Theo Francken, Defence Minister Singh discussed ways to boost defence industrial cooperation between the two sides.
The discussions with Goyal covered collaboration opportunities in key areas like trade, infrastructure, clean energy and defence .
“Held a productive meeting with HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE @PrevotMaxime, Minister of Defence & Foreign Trade, HE @FranckenTheo, and Minister-President of the Flemish Government, Government of Flanders, HE @MDiependaele, along with other officials.
We discussed collaboration opportunities in key areas including trade, infrastructure, clean energy & defence to further deepen the India-Belgium bilateral partnership.
Also, reaffirmed our commitment to fostering a transparent & investor-friendly environment for the shared growth and prosperity of both nations,” Goyal said on social media platform X after their meeting.
According to official data, nearly 200 Belgian companies are active in India and the bilateral trade stands at €11 billion. “Through Make in India and the EU-India free trade talks, we can further strengthen our economic footprint,” Belgian Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Prevot said on the eve of the mission’s departure to India on February 28, 2025.
“The mission is a unique opportunity for Belgian companies to open new markets in the world's most populous country, drive innovation and create jobs in Belgium,” he pointed out.
The Belgian Economic Mission’s visit from March 2-8, 2025 assumes significance as it comes on the heels of the visit by the College of European Commissioners on February 27-28, 2025.
The focus areas for the Belgian delegation include the defence sector; it aims to do so by exploring new business opportunities that have arisen due to recent reforms in India's procurement policy. The mission is also holding discussions on the construction sector, climate and renewable energy, water and waste management, and women’s empowerment.
The second leg of the Belgian Economic Mission will take them to Mumbai for discussions with Indian industry and business leaders.
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