India, Belgium sign MoUs to boost defence industrial cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that India and Belgium share warm and long-standing relations founded on mutual respect, democratic values, and a shared commitment to a rules-based global order. The Minister said this during his delegation level talks with Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken in New Delhi.  Singh said that the world is witnessing a time of great geopolitical and economic turmoil and stressed the need to handle the challenges. He added that in such situations, meeting a friend and an important partner like Belgium provides a useful opportunity to exchange views and perspectives. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Fracken underlined on taking India-Belgium friendship forward. Both leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of Defence relations and Defence Industrial Cooperation between India and Belgium.

#WATCH | Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds delegation-level talks with Belgium's Defence Minister Theo Francken.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "It is indeed a great pleasure to receive you on your second visit to our country as Defence Minister of Belgium. As… pic.twitter.com/3FYtT3mUsD

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Multiple MoUs and contracts under the Defence Industrial Cooperation were also signed, towards leveraging Belgian technology together with Indian skill and scale. During the meeting, the two ministers agreed to expand bilateral ties through defence cooperation dialogue, high-level visits, training and capacity building. Both the leaders also discussed issues of regional peace and security and acknowledged the need for maritime security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific. They reiterated that the partnership between India and Belgium is based on shared values of mutual trust and respect.