Modi and Belgian Prime Minister De Wever pledge deeper defence and clean-energy ties in Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever met in Delhi, highlighting expanded cooperation in defence and green energy, including a joint tank project and a large ammonia plant.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to Delhi for a three-day visit, the first by a Belgian premier in two decades. In a joint statement at Hyderabad House, Modi said the India-Belgium relationship now spans strategic sectors such as defence, referencing the co-development of the Zorawar tank, and clean energy, noting a major green ammonia project in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. De Wever praised India’s transformation into the world’s largest democracy and fastest-growing major economy, calling it a global powerhouse and key ally.
He highlighted Belgium’s expertise in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, semiconductors and clean energy as complementary to Indian needs. The meeting aligns with New Delhi’s push to strengthen ties with the European Union, following a recent EU-India free-trade agreement. Both sides expressed intent to deepen cooperation across the highlighted sectors.
Why it matters
The talks signal stronger India-Belgium ties and broader EU engagement in strategic and clean-energy projects.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage stresses the creation of a joint counter-terrorism working group, while centrist coverage highlights defence and clean-energy agreements and a request to keep sensitive technology away from Pakistan; Right-leaning coverage foregrounds the goal of doubling bilateral trade and signing defence pacts.
LEFT
Frames the visit as a step toward deeper security cooperation through a new counter-terrorism working group.
CENTER
Frames the talks as expanding strategic defence and clean-energy partnerships, with an emphasis on preventing technology transfers to Pakistan.
RIGHT
Frames the meeting as a commercial and defence boost, aiming to double trade and formalise joint weapons production.
The left emphasises
- plans to examine a Belgium-India Joint Working Group focused on counter-terrorism
- condemnation of the 2025 Pahalgam attack
- broader bilateral issues such as defence, trade, innovation, semiconductors, fintech, critical minerals and people-to-people ties
The right emphasises
- aim to double bilateral trade within five years
- signing of ten outcomes, notably a defence pact for joint weapons production
- appointment of a resident defence attaché in Brussels
How this story developed
- Aug 28 China, Russia and India convene in Bishkek for SCO summit challenging US influence
- Aug 31 India’s enthusiasm for the SCO is reported to be waning.
- Aug 31 Xi pledged stronger China‑Russia cooperation at the summit.
- Sep 1 Xi and his wife were received by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, where they addressed the fallout from recent US-Israel strikes on Iran and the broader regional tension. The trip comes as Washington threatens expanded sanctions that could hit Chinese and Egyptian banks. Analysts say Beijing seeks Egypt’s diplomatic leverage while protecting its oil purchases from Tehran. The leaders plan to discuss Gaza, Iran, and Red Sea shipping, and to sign agreements on AI and infrastructure. The visit also precedes a scheduled meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump.
- Sep 1 Modi urged Putin to end the Ukraine war during the summit.
- Sep 2 Egypt’s status as a BRICS invitee was highlighted during the summit.
- Sep 2 Xi toured the Grand Egyptian Museum and the visit featured announcements of Chinese investment projects exceeding $10 billion and bilateral trade of about $20 billion.
- Sep 3 Signed an accord to launch the third phase of the Egyptian‑Chinese industrial zone at the Suez Canal.
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