Diplomacy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and De Wever are scheduled to hold bilateral talks in New Delhi on September 3 covering the broader India-Belgium relationship as well as regional and global developments. The Ministry of External Affairs has identified defence and security, trade and investment, technology, renewable energy, connectivity and people-to-people ties among the principal areas where cooperation could be expanded.

The summit, held in the Kyrgyz capital on September 1, 2026, marked the 25th anniversary of the SCO. Leaders approved 28 documents covering security, climate change, energy, emergency response, narcotics, artificial intelligence and institutional cooperation.

The India–Afghanistan Joint Working Group on Trade, Commerce and Investment held a virtual meeting on 1 September 2026, bringing together officials from both sides representing commerce, industry, customs authorities, regulatory agencies and diplomatic missions. The meeting was officially announced by the Government of India on 2 September 2026.

Renewal of the Brahmaputra and Sutlej hydrological-data agreements would therefore represent a tangible step in rebuilding bilateral confidence. It would not resolve wider concerns over upstream infrastructure or water security, but it could restore a predictable channel through which information can be exchanged and questions raised.

The meetings took place as Rijiju led the Indian delegation to a high-level gathering commemorating the 65th anniversary of the first Conference of Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Movement. The event was held in Belgrade from August 31 to September 1 under the theme “The Legacy of Non-Alignment: Lessons for Today’s World.”

The two leaders met in Bishkek on 31 August 2026, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the situation in West Asia. Modi said India looked forward to working closely with Armenia to further deepen and expand the partnership.