For the first time in 20 years, a Belgian prime minister has been invited on an official visit to India, the fastest growing geopolitical power in the world
Foreign News
De Wever in India: Defence deals, green energy and an India Gate made of chocolate
Lisa Bradshaw
Published:
Bart De Wever is on an official visit to India this week, the first time in 20 years that a Belgian prime minister has embarked on a mission to the country. Accompanying De Wever are defence minister Theo Francken and 15 Belgian companies.
De Wever had a three-hour meeting with his counterpart, Narendra Modi, yesterday and today will visit the diamond and port industries in Mumbai. Since a prime minister’s last visit, India has become one of the world’s biggest economies.
Last year, Princess Astrid and Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele led an economic mission to Mumbai and New Delhi, attended by more than 300 Belgian businesses. Early this year, the EU agreed to a landmark free trade agreement with the country.
India offers extraordinary scale and ambition. Belgium can contribute technology, experience and access to Europe
Prime minister Bart De Wever
Belgium sees India as a country that will allow it to diversify economic risks. The aim is to become less dependent on China and less vulnerable to developments in the United States. Germany, France and Italy have maintained strategic partnerships with India for years.
Belgium, for its part, has much to offer as a gateway to the European market. “India is 100 times larger than Belgium, but that is precisely why we have so much to offer each other,” said De Wever. “India brings extraordinary scale, excellence and ambition. Belgium can contribute technology, specialization, experience and access to Europe.”
Defence and security were a key topic at yesterday’s meetings. Defence minister Theo Francken has accompanied De Wever to India and signed no less than 10 letters of intent, including the production of Belgian-made rockets and ammunition in India.
The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding between the Central Bureau of Investigation of India and the Federal Police of Belgium to cooperate on transnational organized crime and cybercrime. Besides manufacturing, the countries will collaborate on emerging technologies, education and military exchanges.
India is currently modernizing one of the largest militaries in the world, which, according to Francken, presents significant economic opportunities. “The scale is enormous,” he said. “Any country with the right technology that gains access to these programs is looking at large orders and major contracts.”
The intention is to double trade between the nations over the next five years, not only in defence but also in semiconductors, green energy and chemicals. According to De Wever, current bilateral trade in goods amounts to €9.4 billion. A doubling would bring it to close to €9 billion, assuming the target is calculated on the same trade basis.
India Gate in chocolate
During the visit, De Wever also referred to the historical ties between Belgium and India, such as the sacrifice of more than 74,000 Indian soldiers in the First World War. To that end, he brought Modi a very Belgian gift: a replica of the India Gate war memorial made of chocolate. (Sadly, it did not survive the journey entirely intact, and the prime minister had to promise to send another.)
“We have not forgotten their courage and their sacrifice,” De Wever told those present at yesterday’s speeches. “If we want to preserve peace and security, we must be prepared to defend them.”
De Wever hopes to welcome Modi to Brussels in December for the formal signing of the EU-India free trade agreement.