New Delhi: India and Belgium have officially launched their inaugural Strategic Dialogue in Brussels, marking a significant elevation in bilateral relations as both nations confront rising global economic and geopolitical uncertainties. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot spearheaded the high-level talks at Egmont Palace. The landmark dialogue establishes a structured framework for long-term cooperation across critical sectors, signaling a mutual commitment to expand ties beyond traditional commerce into a comprehensive strategic alliance.
The discussions centered heavily on modernizing economic and security frameworks to mitigate global vulnerabilities. Highlighting structural challenges in the international economy—such as an overdependence on single production sources, volatile market access, and logistics constraints—Jaishankar emphasized that modern diplomacy must focus on stabilizing, de-risking, and diversifying global supply chains. Both leaders agreed to intensify bilateral collaboration across clean energy, digital technologies, defense, life sciences, chemicals, and manufacturing, building upon the momentum generated by a major Belgian economic mission that toured India earlier this year.
The dialogue also underscored a deepening alignment between India and the European Union, with Jaishankar noting that the India-EU relationship is rapidly evolving past the boundaries of the proposed Free Trade Agreement. The broader partnership is actively advancing security, defense, and research initiatives through frameworks like the Trade and Technology Council and Horizon Europe, with both sides looking to accelerate pending trade negotiations. Highlighting the expanding diplomatic roadmap, Prévot announced that Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Defence Minister Theo Francken are scheduled to visit New Delhi on September 3, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to travel to Brussels later this year to sustain the bilateral momentum.
