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India and Belgium to enhance collaboration in defence, infrastructure, and clean energy as Belgian economic mission visits India.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held a “productive meeting” with Princess Astrid of Belgium and a high-level delegation to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation in key sectors such as defence, infrastructure, and clean energy. The discussions come as part of Belgium’s ongoing economic mission to India, which runs from March 1-8, 2025.
Strengthening Economic & Strategic Ties
The Belgian delegation, led by Princess Astrid, includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, Defence and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken, and Flemish Government Minister-President Matthias Diependaele. The visit aims to reinforce Belgium’s position as a key economic partner for India and a gateway to the European market.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Goyal stated, “We discussed collaboration opportunities in key areas including trade, infrastructure, clean energy, and 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.”
Princess Astrid is also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during her visit.
Belgium’s Investment in India
Belgium, one of the six founding members of the European Union (EU) and home to the headquarters of both the EU and NATO, has been a longstanding economic partner of India. Belgium’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in India between April 2000 and March 2024 stood at $2.89 billion.
Currently, around 160 Belgian companies operate in India, while major Indian firms, including TCS, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, and HCL, have established a strong presence in Belgium.
Focus on Uttar Pradesh: Agristo’s Expansion
Apart from visiting New Delhi and Mumbai, the Belgian delegation is focusing on Uttar Pradesh as a major investment destination. Princess Astrid visited the Agristo factory in Bijnor, an Indo-Belgian joint venture producing potato derivatives since 2023. The plant processes around 25,000 tonnes of potatoes annually and supports local farmers with modern agricultural techniques.
Belgium’s Agristo NV and India’s Masa Global Foods have invested ₹300 crore in their joint venture, Agristo Masa Pvt Ltd, and announced a ₹750 crore expansion plan to boost exports of value-added potato products to North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Japan.
India-EU Free Trade Talks & Strategic Alignment
The meeting between Goyal and the Belgian delegation comes ahead of the 10th round of India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, scheduled to take place in Brussels from March 10-14, 2025.
Belgium has been a strong supporter of India’s bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). It was also among the first European nations to establish diplomatic ties with independent India in 1947.
With this economic mission, India and Belgium reaffirm their commitment to strengthening trade, investment, and strategic relations, positioning Belgium as a vital partner in India’s economic growth and global aspirations.
Sources By Agencies
