Modi meets Belgian PM in Delhi, praises bilateral cooperation in key sectors; Wever calls India a ‘great power’ | Today’s news
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the growing India-Belgium partnership and highlighted how bilateral cooperation between the two countries has expanded beyond traditional areas to strategic sectors such as defense and clean energy.
He also pointed out the joint efforts regarding the Zorawar tank and the large green ammonia project in Andhra Pradesh. PM Modi made these observations while delivering joint remarks along with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Delhi, ANI reported.
PM Modi met his Belgian counterpart
De Wever, who is on his first three-day visit to India, received a warm welcome from Prime Minister Modi, with the two leaders meeting at Hyderabad House in the state capital on Thursday, marking a diplomatic milestone as De Wever becomes the first Belgian prime minister to visit India in two decades.
PM Modi also recalled De Wever’s support to the Indo-Belgian diamond trade and the Indian community during his tenure as Antwerp Mayor.
Recalling his visit to Belgium a decade ago, Prime Minister Modi noted how the bilateral partnership had progressed since then. He said, “Today, the scope of our cooperation has expanded beyond traditional sectors to include strategic areas such as defense and clean energy. We are collaborating on advanced defense equipment such as the Zorawar tank. We are also developing one of the world’s largest green ammonia projects at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.”
Emphasizing the historic nature of India-Belgium relationship, he added, “India-Belgium ties are deeply rooted in history. The courage and sacrifices of thousands of Indian soldiers in Belgium during World War I remain an important part of our common memory. Today, democratic values, market economy and strong people-to-people ties make us natural partners.”
Belgian PM praises India’s growth in two decades
De Wever praised India’s growth in the last two decades and called Delhi a major global power. He also addressed the country as the world’s largest democracy with the fastest growing economy and described India as an important ally. Speaking together with Prime Minister Modi, he said: “It is especially meaningful to be here as the first Belgian Prime Minister in 20 years, and that is a very long time. It is too long. India has changed immensely in those 20 years, and certainly during Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. Today, you are not only the fastest growing technology economy, but also a major economic economy in the world. A geopolitical factor whose voice is carried far beyond the borders of this region.”
Emphasizing India’s importance as an ally for Belgium, De Wever said: “This makes India an increasingly important partner for Belgium, and I believe that my country also has a lot to offer India in return. We are a bit smaller in scale. But we are one of the most open and internationally connected economies in the world. We have built our prosperity on trade and access to global markets. With a population 10 times smaller, India has grown to 11 million inhabitants. The world’s 25th economy We have developed world-class expertise in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, semiconductors, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and logistics.
India is strengthening relations with Europe and the European Union
The meeting between the two leaders comes at a time when Delhi is seeking to strengthen its ties with the European Union and Europe. Earlier this year, India signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union.
The meeting is expected to further strengthen cooperation between India and Belgium across key strategic and economic sectors.
