Prime Minister Modi Meets Belgian Princess Astrid to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Belgian Princess Astrid on Tuesday, who is currently leading a high-level delegation to India from March 1-8. The Prime Minister welcomed Princess Astrid and expressed his deep appreciation for her efforts in bringing over 300 delegates, including prominent business leaders, government officials, and sector representatives from various fields.
This marks the second time Princess Astrid is heading an Economic Mission to India, highlighting the growing importance of economic ties between the two nations. The discussions between PM Modi and Princess Astrid covered a wide range of key areas, including trade, investment, technology, defense, innovation, clean energy, infrastructure, agriculture, skilling, academic exchanges, and cultural and people-to-people relations.
Both parties emphasized the importance of collaborating on emerging sectors that would drive innovation-led growth and enhance bilateral cooperation, ultimately benefiting both nations. The discussions also sought to identify new pathways to strengthen economic resilience in the face of global challenges.
The visit will prioritize industries such as pharmaceuticals, logistics, aerospace, and renewable energy, according to an official statement. This focus aims to enhance bilateral trade and investment, as well as explore opportunities for deeper collaboration in these key sectors.
During the course of the week, Princess Astrid’s delegation is scheduled to meet with senior Indian ministers, including Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, among other high-level officials.
Belgium currently ranks 18th among India’s export destinations, and approximately 200 Belgian companies are operational in India. As part of the mission, a seminar on water and waste management will be held, bringing Belgian and Indian partners together to discuss cleantech solutions. Additionally, the virtual inauguration of the Silox research and innovation center will demonstrate Belgium’s growing commitment to advancing its interests in India.
The construction sector is another focal point of the economic mission, with a seminar set to explore future market trends, business opportunities, and challenges. Belgian and Indian companies will exchange best practices, technological innovations, and discuss contemporary practices within the sector.
The Belgian delegation is comprised of representatives from 36 Brussels-based companies, with a focus on gender diversity, as 30% of the participants are women. On March 5, the India-Belgium Tech Forum will be held to further bolster technological partnerships between the two nations.
This ongoing dialogue reflects the growing and dynamic relationship between India and Belgium, with both countries working to unlock new areas of collaboration across various sectors.
