Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in New Delhi on Thursday, September 3, 2026, as India and Belgium seek to strengthen their bilateral partnership across trade, investment, defence, technology and other areas of mutual interest.
De Wever is on a three-day official visit to India from September 2 to 4 at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. The visit is his first to India since taking office as Belgian prime minister in February 2025 and comes nearly two decades after the previous visit by a Belgian prime minister.
Modi-De Wever Talks in New Delhi
The meeting is focused on the full spectrum of India-Belgium relations, along with regional and global developments of mutual interest. The Ministry of External Affairs had announced that the two leaders would hold bilateral discussions on September 3 during De Wever's India visit.
The talks come as both countries look to expand cooperation beyond their established economic relationship. Trade and investment, defence and security, technology, connectivity and renewable energy are among the areas identified for greater engagement during the Belgian prime minister's visit.
Belgian PM's First India Visit
De Wever arrived in New Delhi for the official visit accompanied by Belgian Defence and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken and a high-level delegation. His visit provides an opportunity for India and Belgium to review existing cooperation and identify new areas for collaboration.
The visit also has significance for India-European Union relations, with Belgium playing an important role within the European Union. Economic and strategic cooperation between New Delhi and Brussels is expected to remain an important part of the discussions.
Defence Cooperation on Agenda
Defence cooperation has emerged as a significant component of the Belgian delegation's engagement in India. Earlier on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken in New Delhi, with both sides discussing ways to deepen defence and industrial cooperation.
The defence discussions are taking place alongside the prime ministerial meeting, highlighting the broader strategic dimension of the India-Belgium partnership.
Focus on Trade and Investment
Economic ties are another important element of De Wever's India visit. The Belgian prime minister is scheduled to engage with Indian business stakeholders during his stay, including participation in a business event in New Delhi.
The two countries have scope to expand commercial cooperation across technology, industry, investment and other emerging sectors. The visit is therefore being seen as an opportunity to give fresh momentum to economic engagement between India and Belgium.
India-Belgium Partnership
The bilateral relationship extends across several areas, including political engagement, commerce, defence, technology, education and people-to-people ties. Belgium is also an important partner for India within Europe, making high-level political exchanges significant for the wider India-EU relationship.
De Wever's visit is expected to reinforce this multifaceted partnership while providing an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss international developments and issues affecting both countries.
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