Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has undertaken a series of crucial business engagements in Mumbai aimed at enhancing economic ties between Belgium and India. This visit marks his first official trip to India since assuming office. The Prime Minister arrived in Mumbai from New Delhi on 4 September 2026 and was greeted by Maharashtra’s Minister of Marketing and Protocol, Jaykumar Rawal.

A notable event during this visit was the inauguration of HRD Antwerp’s newly renovated and expanded diamond grading laboratory located in the Bandra Kurla Complex. According to a press release from HRD Antwerp, the laboratory’s expansion has allowed it to increase its capacity by thirty per cent, enabling the examination and grading of up to two thousand diamonds daily. The company plans to hire an additional forty full-time employees to accommodate the increased workload.

HRD Antwerp, which has been operational in India since 2012, caters to approximately one thousand five hundred clients, including jewellery manufacturers, retailers, and entities in the diamond production and trading sectors. Currently, the Indian operations contribute fifty-nine per cent of the company’s total group revenue, with an anticipated growth of fifteen point four per cent for the year, outpacing the overall group growth of twelve point six per cent.

India-Belgium High-Level Dialogue

Following the inaugural event, De Wever participated in the India-Belgium High-Level Dialogue concerning the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The meeting featured Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with discussions centred on leveraging the India-EU FTA to strengthen bilateral business relations in various sectors.

Key sectors highlighted included gems and jewellery, logistics, pharmaceuticals, food processing, maritime services, green hydrogen, semiconductors, defence, and advanced manufacturing. De Wever emphasised the Port of Antwerp-Bruges as a vital entry point for Indian exports into the broader European market, noting its strategic location within trucking reach of two-thirds of European purchasing power.

De Wever remarked that the FTA would lay a robust foundation for amplifying commercial connections and creating more predictable supply chains amid growing global uncertainties. He specified that the agreement aims to eliminate or reduce tariffs on over ninety-five per cent of goods traded between India and Europe, thus opening avenues for increased cargo movement between the two regions.

Future Collaboration and Strategic Goals

During his address, De Wever outlined the existing functions of Antwerp-Bruges in relation to Indian exports, particularly in the food and pharmaceuticals sectors. He pointed out that nearly all Indian shrimp arriving in Northwest Europe transits through Antwerp-Bruges, bolstered by the port’s special cold-chain infrastructure essential for pharmaceuticals.

Green hydrogen was also emphasised as a prospective area for deeper collaboration, given India’s ambitious plans for its production as part of the energy transition. De Wever expressed Belgium’s intention to become a key northwest European hub for green energy imports, noting the apparent synergies between the two countries.

In concluding remarks, Goyal reiterated the significance of the India-EU FTA, reflecting a market population of two billion and representing a quarter of the global GDP. He affirmed that trade between India and the EU has already doubled over the past decade and advocated for enhanced collaboration across multiple sectors, including technology and innovation.

This structured approach aims to ensure that both nations enhance their economic ties rather than retreat into isolation, signifying a concerted effort to fortify their partnership in various industries.

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