Natural Partners: India and Belgium Expand Strategic and Economic Ties

Gist Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever's visit to New Delhi marks a significant expansion in India-Belgium relations, moving beyond traditional diamond trade into defence co-production and broader strategic alignment. The two nations have set a target to double their bilateral trade in the next five years, banking heavily on the anticipated conclusion of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement FTA . For civil services aspirants, this highlights India's evolving European strategy, where deeper engagements with smaller, high-tech European nations are being leveraged to diversify defence procurement and reduce industrial overdependence on China. Background Historically, Belgium has not been among India's primary European partners in terms of overall geopolitical engagement or size. The economic relationship has been narrowly focused, with about a third of the $13 billion bilateral trade stemming from a century-old collaboration in the diamond industry. The diamond supply chain is deeply integrated: Antwerp serves as the global hub for diamond trading, while Mumbai and Surat provide the majority of cutting and polishing services. Strategically, India's broader foreign policy is currently focused on intensifying ties with European countries…