Beyond Diamonds: The New Tech and Defence Partnership Between Belgium and India
When Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever touched down in New Delhi recently, it signalled a clear shift in Europe-India relations. For decades, the diamond trade was the bedrock of this partnership, but now, the two nations are solidifying a robust Belgium-India high-tech alliance. Travelling alongside Belgium's Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade, Theo Francken, the delegation sat down with Indian leaders like Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Their goal was simple: to lock in new agreements covering defence manufacturing, clean energy, and semiconductor development.
Teaming Up on Defence
The biggest takeaway from this visit is a fresh approach to defence. The leaders signed ten major agreements designed to bring Belgium's technological know-how together with India's massive manufacturing capacity.
A standout deal involves Thales Belgium, a defence technology company, and India’s Kalyani Strategic Systems, a defence manufacturing company and subsidiary of Bharat Forge. They are teaming up to build advanced 70-millimetre rocket systems right in India, aiming to have the first fully locally-made rocket ready by early 2027. This helps India build up its own defence industry while giving European companies a reliable new manufacturing base.
Meanwhile, John Cockerill, a prominent Belgian defence and engineering group known for its advanced weapons systems, is providing specialised turrets for India's new Zorawar light tanks, which are built to operate in high-altitude areas. In the ammunition sector, New Lachaussée, a Belgian expert in ammunition production equipment, and its Indian manufacturing partner, Tembo Classic Engineering, are setting up a facility to produce up to 100 million rounds a year, significantly boosting India's domestic military supply.
Protecting the Seas
Keeping sea trade routes safe was another major talking point. Both nations rely heavily on open seas to fuel their economies, so they agreed to work closer on critical technologies like mine clearing and underwater robotics. To keep the communication lines open and strengthen military ties, Brussels and New Delhi are also appointing resident defence attachés in each other's capitals.
Pushing for Clean Energy
The partnership is not just about defence; it is also focused on a greener future. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is gearing up to be a major entry point for Europe's green energy imports.
The visit also saw Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT), the Flemish government agency responsible for supporting international trade and investment, the Belgian Hydrogen Council, a platform representing Belgium’s hydrogen industry, and Green H2 India, an organisation focused on advancing India’s green hydrogen ecosystem, sign a new agreement.
The deal connects Indian renewable energy producers with European buyers, supporting Europe’s clean energy ambitions and India’s goal of becoming a major clean energy exporter, with import routes for hydrogen and ammonia expected to be developed by the end of the decade.
Building Better Microchips
Finally, with global supply chains remaining unpredictable, the two countries agreed to work together more closely on microchips. This plan links Belgium's world-famous IMEC research centre with India's growing semiconductor manufacturing sector. By blending European research with Indian industrial power, they hope to make supply chains stronger and expand the manufacturing of defence electronics.
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