India, Belgium push for early FTA negotiations, vow to deepen trade and tech ties

India and Belgium reaffirmed their commitment to expediting negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and strengthening cooperation across trade, technology, and strategic sectors during the third round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Brussels, officials said here on Wednesday.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the talks held on November 4 reviewed the full range of bilateral relations, including economic and investment cooperation, defence and security, science and innovation, renewable energy, education, and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides also discussed the importance of deeper India-EU engagement following the visit of EU College of Commissioners to India in February 2025 and the announcement of a new India-EU Strategic Agenda.

Both sides reaffirmed their shared goal of achieving a balanced and mutually beneficial FTA to boost trade and investment flows. The meeting follows the visit of HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium, who led a major economic delegation to India earlier this year, as well as reciprocal high-level political visits between the two nations.

Officials said the consultations reaffirmed both sides’ shared resolve to elevate their partnership across political, economic, and technological spheres while maintaining close cooperation in multilateral forums.