PM Modi meets Belgian Princess Astrid to boost India-Belgium ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Belgian Princess Astrid on Tuesday as she led a high-level delegation to India from March 1-8.
PM Modi welcomed Princess Astrid and appreciated her initiative in bringing a delegation of over 300 members, including business leaders, government officials, and representatives from various sectors.
This marks the second time Princess Astrid has led an economic mission to India, highlighting the growing economic partnership between the two nations.
Their discussions covered a broad spectrum of areas, including trade, investment, technology, defense, innovation, clean energy, infrastructure, agriculture, skilling, academic exchanges, and cultural ties. Both sides agreed to explore new avenues for cooperation in emerging and high-impact sectors to drive economic resilience and innovation-led growth.
The visit prioritizes industries such as pharmaceuticals, logistics, aerospace, and renewable energy, according to an official statement. The Belgian delegation is set to meet key Indian ministers, including Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Belgium currently ranks 18th among India’s export destinations, with around 200 Belgian companies operating in the country.
Key highlights of the visit include a seminar on water and waste management to foster cleantech collaborations and the virtual inauguration of the Silox Research and Innovation Centre. The construction sector is also a major focus, with a seminar examining future market trends and business opportunities.
The delegation includes representatives from 36 Brussels-based companies, with 61 participants, 30% of whom are women. The India-Belgium Tech Forum on March 5 will focus on strengthening technological partnerships between the two nations.
