India, Belgium deepen defence, trade and critical minerals ties

New Delhi: India and Belgium on Thursday agreed to expand their partnership in defence, trade and critical minerals following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with his Belgian counterpart Bart De Wever.

Expanding defence industry cooperation was high on the agenda of De Wever's visit amid Brussels' assurance on limiting its defence ties with Pakistan. "Defence and security cooperation is a key pillar of our relationship," Modi told the media after the talks.

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"Today, we agreed to enhance military exchanges and training cooperation between the two countries. The agreements between our governments and defence industries will open up new opportunities for defence co-development and co-production. We will also further strengthen intelligence sharing and cooperation between our agencies in combating crime."

De Wever conveyed Belgium's solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism, including cross-border terrorism. He once again condemned the terrorist attack on civilians in Pahalgam in J&K in April 2025.

Both leaders underscored their commitment to a comprehensive and global approach to counterterrorism and affirmed that terrorism, in any form and manifestation and anywhere, could never be justified.

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They called for its perpetrators to be held accountable in accordance with international law. They agreed that the international community must act together against terrorists and terrorist entities, including those designated by the UNSC 1267 sanctions regime, terrorist networks, their safe havens and their financing, including through the UN and FATF.

India-EU FTA

"India's sustained economic progress and this agreement have opened new avenues for our economic relations. Today, we have taken several important steps to translate these possibilities into concrete outcomes." In a press statement, De Wever described India as a "major geopolitical factor" whose influence extends far beyond South Asia.