Article 2: Natural partners
Why in news: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s India visit highlighted expanding India-Belgium cooperation in trade, defence and strategic affairs, alongside India’s broader effort to deepen ties with Europe.
Key Details
- Trade: Both sides aim to double bilateral trade within five years.
- EU FTA: India-Belgium economic cooperation could expand after the India-EU FTA.
- Diamonds: Belgium-India diamond trade remains a major pillar of bilateral commerce.
- Defence: Both countries agreed on military hardware co-development and defence cooperation.
- Strategic ties: Shared democratic values and strategic autonomy are strengthening India-Europe relations.
India-Belgium Relations Gain Strategic Importance
- Belgium may not be among India’s largest partners, but its engagement is becoming important within India-Europe relations.
- The relationship is increasingly focused on trade, defence and strategic cooperation.
- Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s visit to Delhi provided an opportunity to deepen bilateral ties.
- Both sides see scope for expanding cooperation beyond traditional areas.
- The engagement reflects India’s broader effort to strengthen partnerships across Europe.
Trade and the India-EU FTA
- India-Belgium bilateral trade currently stands at around $13 billion.
- Nearly one-third of this trade is linked to the diamond industry, reflecting more than a century of cooperation.
- Antwerp is a major global diamond-trading hub, while Mumbai and Surat are important centres for cutting and polishing.
- After the expected India-EU Free Trade Agreement, both sides aim to expand cooperation into renewable energy and food processing.
- India and Belgium have set an ambitious target of doubling bilateral trade within five years.
Defence and Technology Cooperation
- Belgium has a technologically advanced defence industry covering small arms, drones, counter-drone systems, ammunition and naval defence.
- Belgium is seeking greater access to the Indian defence market.
- India, meanwhile, is pursuing diversification of defence procurement beyond dependence on a few major global suppliers.
- The two countries agreed on an MoU for co-development of military hardware and signed a letter of intent on defence cooperation.
- India will appoint a resident defence attaché in Brussels, strengthening institutional defence engagement.
Strategic Autonomy and India-Europe Partnership
- The visit reflected a broader geopolitical convergence around strategic autonomy and reducing excessive dependence on any single global power.
- Belgium has recognised the importance of India’s concerns regarding overdependence on China in trade and industrial production.
- India highlights shared foundations such as democratic values, market economies and people-to-people connections.
- The partnership forms part of India’s wider effort to deepen strategic engagement with European countries.
- Stronger India-Europe ties can contribute to economic resilience, technological cooperation and strategic diversification.
Mature Relations Amid Global Geopolitical Differences
- India’s engagement with Belgium demonstrates increasing maturity in managing differences over global conflicts, particularly the Russia-Ukraine issue.
- European countries have their own positions on Russia, while India maintains strong strategic ties with Russia.
- Belgium’s engagement with India despite these differences indicates that bilateral interests can coexist with divergent geopolitical perspectives.
- India’s simultaneous engagement with European partners and Russia reflects its policy of strategic autonomy and diversified partnerships.
- The relationship therefore illustrates a broader shift towards pragmatic, interest-based India-Europe cooperation in a changing global order.
Conclusion
India-Belgium relations are evolving beyond the traditional diamond trade towards defence, technology, renewable energy and strategic cooperation. The partnership reflects India’s broader European outreach and Europe’s growing recognition of India’s strategic importance. By leveraging the India-EU FTA, diversifying defence partnerships and strengthening economic linkages, India can build a resilient relationship with Belgium while deepening its engagement with Europe.