With the transatlantic alliance strained like never before and both the European Union and India threatened by high American tariffs, a huge 330-member Belgian economic mission led by Princess Astrid, representing King Philippe, begins an eigh-day visit to India from March 1, aimed at boosting Belgium's image as an attractive partner and a gateway to the European market. 

The high-ranking Belgian mission follows close on the heels of  the visit of the EU College of Commissioners, led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, that just concluded its India visit and signed what Prime Minister Narendra Modi called a "historic and unparalleled" agreement.     .

“India is an important player on the world stage and a crucial partner for Belgium in terms of economic and commercial diversification.  In the current context of radical geopolitical changes, the Indo-Pacific region is gaining in strategic importance,” emphasized a Belgian Foreign Ministry statement.

This statement echoed the sentiments expressed by the leaders of the EU and India at their New Delhi meeting during which von der Leyen said the world was an "inflection point in history" and said the "modern version of great power competition is an opportunity for Europe and India to reimagine their partnership"  as the world was "fraught with danger".

Growing Belgian presence

India is the fifth largest economy in the world and enjoys sustained economic growth, a gigantic internal market and a growing middle class. The subcontinent has the largest population  in the world of 1.4 billion with an expanding middle class and a youth bulge. New Delhi and Mumbai were chosen as destinations for this Belgian economic mission because of economic and institutional reasons, said the statement.

 A growing number of Belgian companies are focussing on India, both in more traditional sectors (chemicals, machinery, food and beverages) and in more strategic sectors, including pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, defence and aerospace technology and Brussels said that a "sustainable dialogue with India is needed to actively promote the interests of our companies.”

 Princess Astrid will be accompanied by a number of ministers including the foreign and defence ministers. The extensive programme includes meetings with local Indian companies and research institutions, participation in high-level cross-sectoral seminars and a series of visits to some important Belgian companies already present in India and their local partners.

The sectors that will be discussed during this Belgian economic mission are climate and renewable energy; healthcare and life sciences; (eco-)construction; transport and  logistics; aerospace and defence; and decarbonisation of steel. This mission aspires to highlight Belgium's expertise in the industries of the future and is aimed at emphasising and further deepening the ties at the economic, political and scientific levels.

Diamonds are forever

Belgium and India have long-standing historical ties. As early as the beginning of the 18th century, the Belgian coastal city Ostend's trading ships were already calling at  the Indian coast. A month after India's independence in 1947, Belgium established diplomatic relations, making it one of thefirst European countries to do so. 

Diamonds remain a cornerstone of the Belgo-Indian economic relationship, but in recent years strong growth has been visible in various other sectors.The port city of Antwerp is considered to be the international centre of diamond trade which is dominated by Indian diamond traders mainly form Gujarat.

During the mission, Princess Astrid and the accompanying ministers will also have official meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of Trade and Industry Piyush Goyal, Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh, besides meeting with Maharashtra state government leaders. 

(The author is an Indian journalist who is a long time resident in Brussels. Views expressed are personal. He can be reached nawab_khan@hotmail.com)