Belgium has assured India that it will not pursue defence cooperation or provide technological assistance to Pakistan, sources in the government said on Thursday, following bilateral talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Belgium’s Defence Minister Theo Francken.
Singh specifically raised India’s concerns over the possibility of Belgian defence technology or expertise being extended to Pakistan. Mr. The bilateral meeting was held on the sidelines of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, who is on an official visit to India. Francken and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth addressed the India-Belgium Defence CEOs Roundtable and B2B Meetings in New Delhi. The event was attended by representatives of Belgian industry, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers. Mr. Francken highlighted the growing strategic partnership between India and the European Union, pointing to expanding cooperation in maritime security, information security and aerospace. Emphasising the potential for deeper industrial collaboration, the Belgian Defence Minister called for joint efforts to strengthen the armed forces of both countries in an evolving security environment. Highlighting India’s transformation in defence manufacturing, Mr.
During the meeting in New Delhi, Mr, according to the sources. Francken assured the Indian side that Belgium stood firmly with India and that there was “no question” of defence cooperation with Pakistan. He said the developing institutional dialogue had established India as a trusted partner for the European Union. “United we stand, divided we fall,” he said. Seth said the country was moving from import dependence towards indigenous capability, trusted international partnerships and global competitiveness under initiatives such as Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
Earlier, Mr.
