India and Belgium Launch Strategic Dialogue to Deepen Bilateral Partnership

India and Belgium have launched a new Strategic Dialogue designed to give their bilateral relationship a more structured, comprehensive and result-oriented framework. The inaugural meeting was held in Brussels on July 15, 2026, marking an important step in expanding political, economic, technological and security cooperation between the two countries.

The first India–Belgium Strategic Dialogue was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, Maxime Prévot.

The dialogue will serve as a regular ministerial-level mechanism through which the two governments can review their partnership, identify emerging opportunities and coordinate their positions on important regional and global developments.

A Broad Agenda for Bilateral Cooperation

India and Belgium agreed to strengthen cooperation across trade and investment, green-energy transition, innovation, advanced technology, connectivity, defence, security and people-to-people relations.

The wide scope of the dialogue reflects the growing diversity of India–Belgium ties. Belgium is an important commercial and technological partner for India in Europe, while India’s expanding economy, manufacturing base and skilled workforce offer significant opportunities for Belgian companies.

The two countries are expected to use the dialogue to connect their political relationship with practical projects involving businesses, research institutions, universities and technology organisations.

Dr Jaishankar said Belgium occupies a special place in India’s engagement with Europe. He highlighted that the Strategic Dialogue would help both countries build on their complementary strengths and produce tangible benefits as the India–European Union partnership acquires greater strategic importance.

Maxime Prévot pointed to the Belgian Economic Mission to India in March 2025 as evidence of the strength and dynamism of bilateral economic ties. He said trade, investment and innovation provide a strong foundation for the future growth of the relationship.

Trade and Investment at the Centre

Economic cooperation is expected to remain one of the principal pillars of the new dialogue. Bilateral trade between India and Belgium reached approximately US$10.92 billion during 2025–26.

Precious stones and metals, chemicals, machinery, textiles and industrial products form important components of the trading relationship. Belgium’s position as a major European centre for diamonds, logistics, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing and research makes it a valuable economic partner for India.

Around 175 Belgian companies operate in India, while Indian technology and software companies have developed a significant presence in Belgium. Indian firms also use Belgium as a base for serving wider European markets.

The launch of the Strategic Dialogue coincided with an India–EU Business Forum organised at the Federation of Belgian Enterprises. The meeting brought together government representatives and businesses from India, Belgium and other European countries.

Dr Jaishankar attended the forum along with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada. The Belgian side included Matthias Diependaele, Minister-President of Flanders, and Adrien Dolimont, Minister-President of Wallonia.

Participants discussed ways to translate the growing political relationship into concrete economic and commercial opportunities, particularly following the conclusion of negotiations on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement.

Green Energy, Technology and Innovation

The green-energy transition offers another important area for collaboration. India is rapidly expanding renewable-energy capacity, green-hydrogen production, electric mobility and low-carbon infrastructure. Belgium possesses strong expertise in offshore wind energy, clean technology, sustainable logistics and advanced industrial systems.

Existing cooperation in renewable energy, science, space technology, nuclear research and information technology provides a foundation for new projects.

India and Belgium have already worked together in astronomy and space science. Belgian technological participation contributed to major scientific facilities in India, including astronomical observatories in Uttarakhand.

Belgium is also home to internationally recognised research institutions specialising in semiconductors, nanoelectronics and digital technologies. Collaboration with such organisations could support India’s ambitions in semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, telecommunications and high-technology research.

Defence and Security Cooperation

Defence and security have been included in the Strategic Dialogue as both countries seek closer coordination on emerging threats and global security challenges.

Future engagement could cover defence-industry partnerships, maritime security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism and strategic technologies. Regular consultations would also enable India and Belgium to exchange assessments on developments affecting Europe, the Indo-Pacific and the wider international system.

Belgium’s location at the heart of Europe and its role within the European Union and NATO give it strategic importance. Closer engagement with Brussels can support India’s broader objective of developing deeper security and technology partnerships across Europe.

A Relationship Rooted in History

Belgium was among the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with independent India in September 1947. The partnership has since expanded through high-level visits, economic missions, parliamentary exchanges and cooperation in culture, science and education.

The two countries also share an important historical connection through the sacrifices of Indian soldiers in Belgium during the First World War. More than 9,000 Indian soldiers lost their lives in the battlefields of Flanders, and memorial events continue to honour their contribution.

Educational links have also grown, with around 1,100 Indian students studying at Belgian universities. Partnerships involving Indian Institutes of Technology, management institutions and Belgian universities have strengthened academic and research exchanges.

Building a Long-Term Strategic Partnership

The India–Belgium Strategic Dialogue will be supported by regular high-level engagement to maintain political momentum and monitor progress on agreed initiatives.

Both governments indicated that planned high-level visits later in 2026 would provide further opportunities to advance major projects and convert shared ambitions into measurable outcomes.

The establishment of the dialogue reflects India’s growing engagement with individual European nations alongside its wider partnership with the European Union. For Belgium, closer cooperation with India offers access to one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets, a major technology workforce and an increasingly influential diplomatic partner.

The new mechanism gives both countries a platform to build a modern partnership centred on commerce, clean energy, innovation, security and connectivity. Its success will depend on the ability of the two governments and their industries to transform regular dialogue into investment, joint research, technology partnerships and stronger links between their people.

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REFERENCES

1. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “India–Belgium Strategic Dialogue (July 15, 2026).” Published July 15, 2026.
   https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases?dtl%2F41466=
2. Akashvani News. “India and Belgium Launch Strategic Dialogue to Deepen Bilateral Ties.” Published July 16, 2026.
   https://newsonair.gov.in/india-and-belgium-launch-strategic-dialogue-to-deepen-bilateral-ties/
3. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “India–Belgium Bilateral Relations.” July 2026.
   https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/India-Belgium-072026.pdf

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