‘Shared commitment to eradicate terrorism’: PM Modi as India, Belgium sign key MoUs | India News

NEW DELHI: India and Belgium on Thursday signed a series of MoUs and agreements aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation across renewable energy, defence, trade, investment, maritime affairs, critical minerals, semiconductors and research, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever held talks in New Delhi.The agreements were exchanged in the presence of PM Modi and De Wever at Hyderabad House, with the two sides seeking to turn the longstanding India-Belgium relationship into a broader strategic and economic partnership.PM Modi said the two countries had agreed to strengthen cooperation in several emerging areas, including startups, maritime capacity building, universities and research, while also working towards a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement to facilitate the movement of talent.“Today, we agreed to strengthen connections between our startups and enhance capacity building in the maritime sector. We will also reinforce cooperation in the university and research sectors, and we will soon sign a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement to facilitate the movement of talent. Today we also held detailed discussions on regional and global developments. Both India and Belgium believe in the rule of law, dialogue, and diplomacy…”The Prime Minister also highlighted the renewable energy MoU signed during the visit, saying it would provide fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation on sustainability. The two countries have additionally decided to enhance cooperation in the processing and recycling of critical minerals.“Defence and security cooperation is a key pillar of our relationship. Today, we have agreed to enhance military exchanges and training cooperation between the two countries. Agreements reached between our governments and defence industries will open up new opportunities for defence co-development and co-production. We will also further strengthen intelligence sharing and cooperation against crime between our respective agencies. A clean energy future and reliable supply chains are our shared priorities. The MoU on renewable energy signed today will give new momentum to our cooperation on sustainability. We have decided to enhance cooperation in the processing and recycling of critical minerals. Belgium’s expertise in semiconductors and India’s scale complement each other; in this regard, we will work together to integrate Belgium’s IMEC Institute with India’s semiconductor ecosystem. People-to-people ties are the greatest strength of our relationship.”The two sides also discussed ways to strengthen economic ties following the conclusion of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement earlier this year. PM Modi said India and Belgium had taken several steps to translate the opportunities created by the agreement into concrete economic outcomes.“Earlier this year, we concluded a historic Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union. This unprecedented cooperation between two of the world’s largest democratic powers will further strengthen global stability, growth, and shared prosperity. India’s sustained economic progress and this agreement have opened up new possibilities for our economic ties. Today, we have taken several significant steps to translate these possibilities into concrete results. We have established an ‘Investment Fast-Track Mechanism’ in India for Belgian companies. We have decided to make the India-Belgium Business Forum a regular mechanism. We will enhance synergy between the financial, fintech, and regulatory institutions of both nations, and through these measures, we will realize the goal of doubling bilateral trade over the next five years”Defence cooperation emerged as another key component of the agreements and discussions. PM Modi said India and Belgium had agreed to increase military exchanges and training, while government and defence industry agreements would create opportunities for co-development and co-production of defence equipment.He also said the two countries would strengthen intelligence sharing and cooperation between their agencies to combat crime.PM Modi said India and Belgium were also working together on modern defence equipment and cited the Zorawar tank as an example of the expanding partnership.“I had the opportunity to visit Belgium ten years ago, and I am delighted to see the remarkable progress our partnership has made over the past decade. Today, the scope of our cooperation has expanded beyond traditional sectors to encompass strategic areas such as defense and clean energy. We are collaborating on modern defence equipment, such as the Zorawar tank. We are also developing one of the world’s largest green ammonia projects in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.“On clean energy and technology, PM Modi said the renewable energy agreement would strengthen cooperation on sustainability, while the proposed integration of Belgium’s IMEC Institute with India’s semiconductor ecosystem would combine Belgian expertise with India’s scale.The two countries also discussed critical minerals, particularly their processing and recycling, as both sides look to build more reliable supply chains.PM Modi said the latest agreements marked an expansion of ties beyond traditional areas such as diamonds and trade.“Last month, Belgium and the Netherlands jointly hosted the Hockey World Cup. I extend my heartiest congratulations to you for the magnificent organization of this World Cup. I also commend our players for their hard work and performance. Diamonds have long linked India and Belgium. Today, we are transforming this historic bond into a comprehensive partnership. I am confident that our discussions today mark the beginning of a new chapter in our bilateral relations...”The Prime Minister also placed the bilateral engagement in the context of ongoing global conflicts and geopolitical uncertainty, saying India and Belgium supported efforts towards peace while sharing a commitment to combating terrorism.“… Whether it is Ukraine or West Asia, we support all efforts towards an early end to conflict and the establishment of peace; furthermore, eradicating terrorism in all its forms is our shared commitment. Last month, Belgium and the Netherlands jointly hosted the Hockey World Cup. I extend my heartiest congratulations to you for the magnificent organization of this World Cup. I also commend our players for their hard work and performance. Diamonds have long linked India and Belgium. Today, we are transforming this historic bond into a comprehensive partnership. I am confident that our discussions today mark the beginning of a new chapter in our bilateral relations…”PM Modi said the broader global environment remained challenging, with conflicts affecting food and fuel security as well as supply chains. He said India’s economy had continued to maintain its momentum despite the uncertainty.“The world is currently going through a period of great upheaval. Conflict situations persist in various parts of the globe, and uncertainty is impacting sectors ranging from food and fuel to supply chains. Even amidst this challenging environment, the Indian economy has maintained its momentum; we recorded a growth rate of 7.8% in the last quarter. Today, India’s growth story is becoming a source of confidence and new opportunities for the world.“The agreements and discussions came during De Wever’s first visit to India as Belgian Prime Minister. He is in the country from September 2 to 4 at the invitation of PM Modi. His visit is also the first by a Belgian Prime Minister to India in two decades.De Wever, who took office in February 2025, is accompanied by Belgium’s Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade, Theo Francken, along with a high-level delegation of officials and business leaders, including representatives from the Belgian defence industry.Earlier on Thursday, Francken held the India-Belgium Defence Ministers’ Meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, where both sides discussed expanding defence cooperation and greater engagement between their defence industries.“The world is witnessing a time of great geopolitical and economic turmoil. Most of it is not our doing, but we have to handle the challenges. In such situations, meeting a friend and partner like you provides a useful opportunity to exchange views and perspectives,” Singh said.Singh said the recently held India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue had provided a framework for taking the bilateral partnership forward, particularly in defence and security.“We welcome greater cooperation with Belgian and Indian defence companies,” he said.Francken, meanwhile, called for deeper cooperation with India, highlighting the country’s technological capabilities and saying Belgium needed partners such as India for future projects.“We can learn so much from you. You are a high-technology country. You are one of the most densely populated countries, and we really need to work together because Belgium is an old Western European country with a lot of technology, but we need countries like India. We need to collaborate on future projects, and for Belgium, this is the way forward”Francken also referred to Belgium’s economic mission to India led by Princess Astrid in March 2025, describing it as a first step towards a renewed relationship between the two countries.He said the mission had helped generate momentum in bilateral ties, with contracts being signed on collaboration projects within 18 months.“That is amazing. This means that we worked hard, that our people worked hard, and that we can go further in this pathway.”The Belgian minister also said De Wever’s visit had a packed agenda focused on expanding bilateral cooperation.“I’m very happy to be here with our Prime Minister. For first time in more than 20 years a Belgian Prime Minister is visiting your beautiful country. We have a busy, busy schedule with lot of signing ceremonies, a lot of good talks with the Prime Minister…”Francken said Belgium and India could address the geopolitical challenges facing the world through greater friendship and partnership.“I think it’s totally right when you talk about geopolitical challenges that we have to meet. We didn’t organise them, we didn’t always want them, but we need to be realistic, and we need to go further. And we can do this in friendship and partnership between Belgium and India.”