Bilateral commerce reached $13.01 billion in 2025-26, with diamonds continuing to be a major component, given Antwerp’s position as a global diamond hub.
Belgian investment in India has also grown, with cumulative FDI inflows estimated at $4.2 billion between April 2000 and December 2025.
But the partnership is increasingly moving beyond commerce.
The presence of Belgium’s defence minister and defence industry representatives is expected to give fresh momentum to emerging defence-industrial cooperation. Technology, clean energy and maritime connectivity are other areas with significant potential.
Belgian firm John Cockerill is developing a major electrolyser manufacturing facility in Kakinada, while cooperation with Antwerp underscores opportunities in ports, shipping and resilient supply chains.
De Wever will travel to Mumbai on September 4, including a visit to the Bharat Diamond Bourse, highlighting the enduring importance of the diamond trade.
For India, Belgium is also an important gateway into Europe and a useful partner within the EU. Brussels’ support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed UN Security Council adds a political dimension to the relationship.
The immediate objective of the visit is therefore clear: convert recent diplomatic and commercial momentum into institutionalised strategic cooperation, while using Belgium’s European leverage to strengthen the broader India-EU partnership.
-
Cesc Fabregas wins Serie A Coach of the Year award after Como’s remarkable rise
-
ED raids ganja peddler Neetu Bai’s properties in Hyderabad
-
Congress high command directs minister Konda Surekha to resign
-
Goa Assembly clears bill allowing Housing Board joint ventures
-
Kharge seeks action over Uttarakhand ‘purification’ incident
