India Belgium Trade
India is the second-largest importer of Belgian products and the fifth-largest exporter of Belgian products.
Last updated: Apr, 2026
Introduction
India and Belgium established formal diplomatic engagement soon after India’s independence, marking the beginning of a long-standing partnership between the two countries. Over the decades, interactions at the political and institutional levels have helped broaden cooperation and deepen mutual understanding. A convergence of democratic principles, respect for constitutional governance, and an inclusive approach to society shapes the relationship. Belgium has consistently supported India’s enhanced role in global institutions, including its bid for permanent membership of the UNSC.
India-Belgium Trade
- India is Belgium’s 18th largest export destination and 26th largest import source, export growth increased by 2.2% from April-October 2024-25 to April-October 2025-26.
- The bilateral trade between India and Belgium was US$ 8.82 billion during FY26 (till November 2025).
- Trade in pearls dominates the bilateral trade between the two countries.
Major exports from India to Belgium
- India’s export to Belgium stood at US$ 4.38 billion in FY26 (till November 2025) and US$ 6.32 billion in FY25.
- India exported 3,397 commodities to Belgium in FY26 (till November 2025).
- Major principal commodities exported from India to Belgium include natural or cultured pearls and precious stones (US$ 1.01 billion), followed by iron and steel (US$ 458.45 million), organic chemicals (US$ 434.05 million), fish and other aquatic products (US$ 253.18 million), tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes (US$ 236.00 million), pharmaceutical products (US$ 231.83 million), and vehicles and auto components (US$ 221.62 million) in FY26 (till November 2025).
Major imports by India from Belgium
- India’s imports from Belgium stood at US$ 4.44 billion in FY26 (till November 2025) and US$ 6.59 billion in FY25.
- India imported 3,586 commodities from Belgium in FY26 (till November 2025).
- Major principal commodities imported by India from Belgium include pearls, precious or semi-precious stones (US$ 1.31 billion), nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances and parts (US$ 718.75 million), plastic and articles (US$ 285.11 million), optical, medical and precision instruments (US$ 213.12 million), pharmaceutical products (US$ 187.39 million), organic chemicals (US$ 183.36 million), electrical machinery and equipment (US$ 160.74 million), and vehicles and auto components (US$ 140.77 million) in FY26 (till November 2025).
Economic Relations and Investments
- Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Mr. Piyush Goyal visited Brussels, Belgium, on October 27-28, 2025, where he held high-level discussions with EU Executive Vice-President and Trade Commissioner Mr. Maroš Šefčovič at a critical juncture in the India-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Building on momentum from the 14th round of talks, the visit aimed to provide political impetus and strategic direction towards concluding a balanced and mutually beneficial FTA, with discussions focusing on market access, non-tariff measures and regulatory cooperation.
- The third round of India-Belgium Foreign Office Consultations was held in Belgium, during which both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and discussed ways to further deepen India-European Union ties. According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the consultations also included an exchange of views on key regional and global issues of mutual interest.
- On May 2, 2025, Minister of Commerce and Industry Mr. Piyush Goyal visited Brussels, where he met with Belgian Defence and Foreign Trade Minister Mr. Theo Francken and Flanders Minister-President Mr. Matthias Diependaele. The discussions focused on strengthening trade and investment ties, particularly in key strategic sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, defence manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.
- Belgium is a valued investor in India and ranks as the 18th largest investor. FDI flows from Belgium to India from April 2000-March 2025 stood at US$ 4.02 billion. Currently, the bilateral trade between the two nations comprises diamonds, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, foodstuffs, and machinery. The trade volume reflects the close economic partnership between the two countries.
- Almost all major Belgian companies operate in India, conversely, as many as 95 Indian companies are operating in Belgium as well, including big names from diverse sectors. High-skilled professionals from India form the single largest non-European diaspora in Belgium and they are productively contributing to Belgium’s economic development.
- The India-Belgium Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) serves as a powerful instrument to deepen trade and economic ties between the two countries.
- India has signed a deal with Belgium-based IMEC to get chip-making technology: Belgium-based semiconductor research organization, IMEC (Interuniversity Micro Electronics Centre) has agreed to provide technical support to create a semiconductor ecosystem in India.
Recent Trends & developments
- India, Belgium push for early FTA negotiations, vow to deepen trade and tech ties. Both sides reaffirmed their shared goal of achieving a balanced and mutually beneficial FTA to boost trade and investment flows.
- Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Maxime Prévot, who was part of the visiting delegation, met with Union Minister of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on March 3, 2025. Dr. Jaishankar highlighted that the bilateral partnership holds significant potential for expansion into emerging sectors. The Belgian Economic Mission to India witnessed participation from over 350 business and industry leaders, focusing on forging partnerships in areas such as climate and renewable energy, aerospace, and defence.
- In March 2025, a high-level Belgian Economic Mission visited India from March 1-8, led by HRH Princess Astrid, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Maxime Prévot, and Defence Minister Mr. Theo Francken, along with over 330 delegates. The mission culminated in the signing of 37 agreements, 24 in New Delhi and 13 in Mumbai spanning sectors such as climate and renewable energy, healthcare, advanced materials, transport, aerospace, and defence.
- India and Belgium have had a cultural agreement in place since 1973. An MoU was signed between ICCR and BOZAR (Center for Fine Arts - Brussels) for cooperation in the field of culture on February 4, 2021.
- In June 2023, India and Belgium signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty allowing Belgian authorities to execute search warrants issued by Indian courts and summon suspects.
- An MoU was signed between Uttar Pradesh’s team visiting Belgium and Gemini Corporation, Antwerp, for setting up a 300-tonne-per-day plastic recycling plant in Varanasi.
- India and Belgium are set to renew their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the field of renewable energy and expand their trade partnerships.
- Belgium’s support to India on the Nuclear Suppliers Group issue would play a pivotal role in history as one of the most important milestones in India-Belgium bilateral relations.
- The Union Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, along with Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar called on Prime Minister of Belgium, Mr. Alexander De Croo on 15 May 2023 on the sidelines of the first Ministerial meeting of the India - EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) held in Brussels.
Conclusion
India and Belgium share a long-standing and resilient partnership anchored in democratic values, economic complementarity and expanding strategic engagement. Strong two-way trade, diversified commodity exchanges and growing investment linkages underscore the depth of economic ties between the two countries. Recent high-level visits and Foreign Office Consultations reflect a renewed focus on trade, technology and strategic sectors such as clean energy, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. Together, India and Belgium are positioning their relationship to tap new opportunities within the broader India-EU partnership.
Contacts
- Embassy of India, Belgium
Address: 217, Chaussee de Vleurgat, 1050 Brussels
Telephone: +32 (0)2 6409140, +32 (0)2 6451850
Officials
Mr. Rajesh Kumar- Attache (Ambassador’s Office);
Contact: +32-02-645 18 51,
Email: amb.brussels@mea.gov.in
Dr. M Balaji - Deputy Chief of Mission,
Contact: +32-02-645 18 52,
Email: dcm.brussels@mea.gov.in
- Embassy of Belgium, India
Address: 50-N, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021
Phone: +91-11-424-280-00
Email: newdelhi@diplobel.fed.be
Officials
H.E. Mr. Didier VANDERHASSELT- Ambassador
Mr. Steven DE WILDE- Deputy Head of Mission
Partners
