De Wever Calls India Fastest-Growing Economy, Hails New Delhi as Key Ally

Speaking alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, De Wever said India's transformation over the past two decades had been enormous, particularly during Modi's leadership. He described India as an economic and technological powerhouse and a major geopolitical factor whose influence extends far beyond the region.

"It is particularly meaningful to be here as the first Belgian Prime Minister in 20 years, and that's a very long time. It's too long. In those 20 years, India has changed enormously, and certainly during the period of the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Today, you are not only the world's largest democracy, but also the fastest-growing major economy. It has become an economic and technological powerhouse and a major geopolitical factor whose voice carries way beyond this region," De Wever said.

The Belgian Prime Minister said India's growing importance made it an increasingly important partner for Belgium, while stressing that Belgium also had significant strengths to offer in return.

"We are a little bit smaller in scale. But we are one of the world's most open and internationally connected economies. We have built our prosperity on trade and access to global markets. With 11 million inhabitants and a country 100 times smaller than India, we have grown into the 25th economy of the world. We have developed world-class expertise in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, semiconductors, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and logistics. All the topics we talked about are topics of cooperation and growth with each other," he added.

Elaborating on the complementary strengths shaping the bilateral partnership, De Wever said India brings scale, talent and ambition, while Belgium can contribute technology, specialisation, experience and access to Europe.

"India brings extraordinary scale, talent, and ambition. Belgium can bring technology, specialisation, experience, and access to Europe. And this is why we are here. But my purpose here is broader than just trade and commerce. We want to take the relationship between Belgium and India to another level, economically, politically, but also strategically," he said.

De Wever said the two countries were operating in a more fragmented and uncertain world, where prosperity and security were increasingly interconnected. He also highlighted the deep historical links between India and Belgium, saying trade between the two countries dates back centuries.

"We live in a more fragmented and uncertain world. We talked about this a lot. Prosperity and security increasingly go hand in hand, and our relationship has already deep roots. Trade between India and Belgium goes back centuries. But more importantly, our connection goes beyond trade. There is also a shared history between our countries, a history that I want to honour today," he stated.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met De Wever at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday, marking a diplomatic milestone as the first visit by a Belgian premier to India in twenty years.

During their meeting, the two leaders held extensive discussions on the full range of bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues of mutual concern.

Earlier in the day, De Wever paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the solemn tribute reflected the foundational principles connecting India and Belgium. In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "Paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi. Prime Minister Bart De Wever of Belgium paid floral tributes at Rajghat in New Delhi today, honouring Mahatma Gandhi and his enduring message of peace, non-violence and human dignity. The solemn tribute reflected the shared values that underpin the close friendship between India and Belgium. The life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi continue to inspire the world."

De Wever arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a three-day official visit, his first visit to India since taking office in February of the previous year.

The Belgian delegation includes Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken, underscoring the strategic significance of the visit and building on the groundwork established by the Belgian Economic Mission led by Princess Astrid in March 2025.

Later on Thursday, De Wever is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at a business summit organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, where discussions will focus on ongoing negotiations for the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement.

After completing his engagements in the capital, De Wever will travel to Mumbai on Friday to meet key commercial stakeholders from the logistics, maritime ports and diamond sectors.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit is aimed at further strengthening the India-Belgium partnership and advancing cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, technology, renewable energy, connectivity and people-to-people ties, while also deepening India-EU and India-Europe engagement.