India and Belgium issue joint statement during PM Bart De Wever's visit
On 3 September 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in New Delhi, and the two sides issued a joint statement covering the India–EU FTA, defence, ports and counter-terrorism.
Summary
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 3 September 2026 during his official visit to India from 2 to 4 September. The joint statement recalled the sacrifice of more than 9,000 Indian soldiers in Flanders Fields in the First World War and noted that Belgium was among the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with India in 1947. Both leaders welcomed the conclusion of India–EU FTA negotiations at the India–EU Summit on 27 January 2026 and the first India–Belgium Strategic Dialogue in Brussels on 15 July 2026. A CBI–Belgian Federal Police MoU on transnational organised crime and cybercrime was signed, and the two sides will explore a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Belgium's Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken the same day and agreed to expand defence cooperation, training and maritime security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific.
Key facts
- Visit
- Belgian PM Bart De Wever, 2–4 Sep 2026; talks on 3 Sep
- History
- 9,000+ Indian soldiers died in Flanders Fields (WWI); ties since 1947
- FTA
- India–EU FTA negotiations concluded at summit on 27 Jan 2026
- Strategic Dialogue
- First held in Brussels, 15 July 2026
- MoU
- CBI – Federal Police of Belgium (organised crime, cybercrime)
- Defence
- Rajnath Singh – Theo Francken talks, 3 Sep 2026
Practice MCQs 4 questions
According to the India–Belgium Joint Statement of September 2026, how many Indian soldiers made the supreme sacrifice in Flanders Fields during the First World War?
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Correct answer: A — More than 9,000
The leaders recalled the supreme sacrifice of more than 9,000 Indian soldiers in Flanders Fields during the First World War.
Where and when was the inaugural India–Belgium Strategic Dialogue held?
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Correct answer: C — Brussels, 15 July 2026
The inaugural Strategic Dialogue was held in Brussels on 15 July 2026, co-chaired by India's EAM and Belgium's Deputy PM and Foreign Minister.
Who is Belgium's Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade, who held talks with Rajnath Singh on 3 September 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Theo Francken
Rajnath Singh met Belgium's Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken in New Delhi.
Consider the following statements about India–Belgium relations as per the September 2026 Joint Statement: 1. Belgium was among the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with India, in 1947. 2. An MoU was signed between the CBI and the Federal Police of Belgium on combating transnational organised crime and cybercrime. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Joint Statement.