New Delhi: India and Belgium have agreed to strengthen defence and security cooperation, including regular military exchanges, staff talks, education and training, research and defence-industrial partnerships, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever on Thursday.
The two leaders welcomed a Letter of Intent signed by their defence ministries to establish a framework for regular exchanges. They also highlighted growing cooperation in maritime security, emerging technologies and the Indo-Pacific.
As part of the expanding engagement, the Belgian frigate LEOPOLD I will visit India from November 5-8, 2026.
Belgium’s Defence College plans a World Study Trip to India in 2027, while India’s College of Defence Management will undertake a study tour of Belgium in October 2026. Belgium has also appointed a Defence Attaché in New Delhi, while India plans to appoint a resident Defence Attaché in Brussels.
The leaders welcomed growing defence-industrial cooperation, including opportunities in manufacturing, technology, co-development and co-production.
On security, De Wever reaffirmed Belgium’s solidarity with India in combating terrorism and condemned the April 2025 Pahalgam attack.
Both sides called for stronger international action against terrorist networks and financing and agreed to explore a Belgium-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
The leaders also discussed Ukraine and West Asia, stressing dialogue, diplomacy and safe, uninterrupted maritime shipping.
