Belgian logo to mark 70 yrs of diplomatic ties with India

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 16

Retracing the seven-decade-old ties, Belgium today released a logo to mark the establishment of diplomatic relations five months before India achieved freedom from the British.

 Belgium was among the first European countries to have bilateral relations with India,

The logo is a Peacock and the national flags of the two countries are on either side of the country’s national bird. Presenting the logo to the public, Belgian Ambassador to India Jan Luykx said it symbolises the great friendship between India and Belgium. The embassy will be using this logo throughout the year.

The decision to establish diplomatic relations between India and Belgium was taken in January 1947 when Jawaharlal Nehru sent V K Krishna Menon to Brussels for talks with the Belgian authorities. In Brussels, he met with Belgian Foreign Minister Paul Henry Spaak.

In March 1947 -- five months before Independence -- the Belgian Government officially informed Nehru it decided to establish diplomatic relations with India and to open an embassy in Delhi and in May 1947, a chargé d’affaires was appointed. The first ambassador, Eugène Prince de Ligne, arrived in Delhi in September 1947.

India is Belgium’s second largest export destination and third largest trade partner outside the EU (for the period of January-August 2016).

Gems and jewellery sector dominates the bilateral trade.

The trade during January-December 2015 stood at € 11.95 billion (approx Rs 88 billion), of this, India’s export to Belgium was € 4.13 billion (approx Rs 30 billion and import was € 7.82 billion, approx Rs 58 billion).