External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot held the first India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue in Brussels, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, defense, clean energy, pharmaceuticals, and mobility.
The discussions highlighted new opportunities for collaboration in ports, maritime connectivity, semiconductor development, and efforts to build more resilient global supply chains. Both leaders also exchanged views on international developments, including the evolving situation in West Asia, while emphasizing the importance of deeper cooperation between India and Belgium.
Following the meeting, Jaishankar said the India-Belgium partnership has expanded significantly in recent years and described the dialogue as a reflection of the growing ambitions of India’s relationship with Belgium and the European Union. He noted that cooperation between the two nations extends beyond traditional economic ties and now includes strategic areas such as technology, security, and innovation.
Earlier, Jaishankar met European Commissioner for International Partnerships Ekaterina Zaharieva to discuss opportunities in clean and green energy research, innovation ecosystems, startups, and India’s participation in Horizon Europe. Zaharieva highlighted the importance of closer collaboration between India and Europe in advancing future technologies and creating global impact through joint innovation.
The Indian minister also held discussions with European Commissioner Jozef SÃkela on improving cooperation in connectivity, green shipping, trilateral partnerships, and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). These discussions reflected shared efforts to improve infrastructure links and develop sustainable transportation networks.
During his remarks at the strategic dialogue, Jaishankar said the current global environment requires countries with strong partnerships, such as India and Belgium, to work more closely together. He emphasized that both nations have significant potential to expand cooperation in clean energy, digital technologies, life sciences, chemical industries, logistics, and advanced manufacturing.
Jaishankar also highlighted the strategic importance of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), describing it as more than a conventional trade arrangement. He said the agreement represents a broader partnership that includes security cooperation, defense engagement, technology collaboration, mobility frameworks, and research initiatives.
He pointed out that India and the EU are working toward deeper cooperation through platforms such as the Trade and Technology Council, the Global Gateway initiative, and Horizon Europe research programs. According to Jaishankar, efforts are underway to accelerate these partnerships and move ongoing initiatives toward completion.
The minister also addressed challenges facing the global economy, including dependence on limited production sources, market access barriers, connectivity issues, logistics disruptions, and technology challenges. He stressed that strengthening supply chains, reducing risks, and diversifying economic partnerships have become central priorities in international diplomacy.
The India-Belgium dialogue marks another step toward expanding strategic cooperation between the two countries while aligning with India’s broader efforts to deepen its partnership with the European Union.
