India and Belgium have discussed expanding defence cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on maritime security. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Belgium’s Princess Astrid and Defence Minister Theo Francken in New Delhi on Monday to explore deeper defence industrial collaboration. The meeting coincided with a broader push to strengthen bilateral ties beyond trade and investment.
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated that discussions included strengthening defence industry partnerships. Singh encouraged Belgian companies to invest in India’s defence sector and integrate Indian vendors into their supply chains. Both countries agreed to explore an institutionalised defence cooperation mechanism to facilitate long-term collaboration.
Princess Astrid is leading a Belgian Economic Mission to India from 1-8 March, accompanied by senior ministers and business leaders. The delegation includes representatives from 36 Brussels-based companies, covering industries such as pharmaceuticals, logistics, aerospace, and renewable energy. The India-Belgium Tech Forum, scheduled for Wednesday, aims to foster technological collaboration between the two nations.
The talks follow a recent India-EU dialogue on security and defence cooperation. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth met European Commission’s Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, on Friday to discuss India-EU defence partnerships. This included exploring Indian participation in the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (Pesco) framework and joint development projects.
Kubilius emphasised India’s strong defence industry and its potential role in the EU’s supply chains. The ongoing negotiations for an India-EU free trade agreement are expected to enhance defence collaboration. The EU is also considering a Security of Information Agreement (SoIA) with India to facilitate intelligence-sharing.
Belgium and India’s defence cooperation efforts mark a significant step in strengthening strategic ties, aligning with broader EU-India security initiatives.
The recently-concluded India-EU defence partnership aims to strengthen joint efforts in countering common threats, including cross-border terrorism, maritime security risks, cyber-attacks, and threats to critical infrastructure. The collaboration is designed not only to enhance regional stability but also to contribute to economic security and long-term prosperity. Security is set to become a key pillar of the evolving strategic partnership between India and the EU.
Building on recent engagements, both sides have identified maritime security as a critical area of cooperation. This reflects a broader commitment to enhancing defence ties, fostering intelligence-sharing, and developing joint capabilities to address emerging security challenges.
