English Translation of Prime Minister’s Press Statement during the Joint Press Statement with the Prime Minister of Belgium

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's joint press statement with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo marks a significant milestone in India-Belgium relations, elevating a historically diamond-centric partnership into a comprehensive strategic collaboration spanning defence, clean energy, semiconductors, and talent mobility. The visit, De Croo's first to India as Prime Minister, carries deep historical resonance — he previously served as Mayor of Antwerp, home to the world's largest diamond trading hub and a vibrant Indian diaspora that has been the backbone of the India-Belgium diamond trade for decades. This people-to-people foundation, coupled with the shared sacrifice of over 70,000 Indian soldiers who fought in Belgium during World War I (particularly in the Ypres sector), creates a unique emotional and historical bedrock for modern diplomacy. The strategic pivot is evident in the defence announcements: co-development of the Zorawar light tank — a 25-tonne indigenous platform designed for high-altitude operations — signals India's growing defence industrial capability and Belgium's willingness to engage in co-production under the 'Make in India' framework. This aligns with India's Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 and the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Enhanced military exchanges, intelligence sharing, and joint training further institutionalize security cooperation, relevant in the context of India's Indo-Pacific strategy and Belgium's EU/NATO commitments. Economically, the target to double bilateral trade (currently ~$14 billion) within five years is ambitious but anchored in concrete mechanisms: an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism for Belgian firms, regularizing the India-Belgium Business Forum, and regulatory coordination in fintech. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement (concluded in principle in 2024 after 13 years of negotiations) provides the overarching framework — Belgium, as a key EU member and logistical gateway to Europe, stands to benefit disproportionately. The Kakinada green ammonia project — one of the world's largest — exemplifies climate-aligned investment, supporting India's National Green Hydrogen Mission (target: 5 MMT by 2030) and net-zero by 2070 pledge under the Paris Agreement. The semiconductor partnership — linking Belgium's IMEC (Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre), a global R&D leader, with India's Semiconductor Mission (₹76,000 crore outlay) — addresses a critical strategic vulnerability. Critical minerals cooperation (processing/recycling) complements this, vital for EV batteries and electronics supply chains. The proposed Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement reflects a maturing relationship, facilitating skilled talent flow while addressing irregular migration — a template India has pursued with Germany, France, and the UK. Constitutionally, Article 246 (Union List Entries 10, 14, 53) empowers Parliament on foreign affairs, treaties, and trade; Article 253 enables legislation for implementing international agreements. The Ministry of External Affairs, under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, and SEZ Act, 2005, operationalizes such frameworks. Geopolitically, the joint emphasis on rule of law, dialogue on Ukraine and West Asia, and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism reflects convergence in a fragmented world order — positioning India-Belgium as a bridge between the Global South and Europe. Future implications include potential Belgian participation in India's defence corridors (UP and Tamil Nadu), deeper integration in hydrogen corridors (India-EU Green Hydrogen Corridor), and IMEC-IIT joint research centres. For aspirants, this visit encapsulates the '3D' diplomacy — Democracy, Demography, Diaspora — that defines India's contemporary foreign policy.