Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal welcomed Princess Astrid of Belgium in Delhi on Sunday, marking the beginning of a significant economic mission aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. The meeting was characterized by warm greetings between the delegations, with Minister Piyush Goyal presenting the Princess with a bouquet of white orchids as a gesture of hospitality.
Princess Astrid, the sister of Belgium’s King Philippe, is on a week-long visit to India from March 2 to March 8. Her itinerary includes meetings with key Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. During her visit, she will travel across various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Delhi, to engage in high-level discussions focusing on economic collaboration.
The Belgian Ambassador to India, Didier Vanderhasselt, emphasized the significance of the visit, describing it as a high-level economic mission led by Princess Astrid as the representative of King Philippe. Accompanying her is a delegation of 335 members, including officials from 180 Belgian companies. Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, is part of this mission, highlighting the importance of India in Belgium’s economic strategy.
According to Ambassador Vanderhasselt, the delegation will participate in at least 14 seminars and conferences covering key sectors such as renewable energy, defence, eco-construction, life sciences, and steel decarbonisation. These discussions are expected to open avenues for deeper trade and investment ties between the two nations.
The Belgian envoy further highlighted the increasing significance of India in global economic relations, particularly within the European Union (EU). “We are moving towards a more intense and strategic relationship between the EU and India, as well as between Belgium and India. Reliable partnerships are crucial in today’s global economy, and India stands out with an impressive annual growth rate of 5-7%,” Vanderhasselt noted. He also emphasized that India remains a top priority for Belgium’s economic engagements, given its expanding market and dynamic economic landscape.
With trade and investment discussions at the forefront, this visit is expected to further solidify the economic relationship between India and Belgium. As India continues to attract global investors, the visit by Princess Astrid and her high-profile delegation is seen as a step towards enhancing collaboration in critical industries and fostering long-term economic partnerships.
