The Brussels Visit
Stronger Together : A Multifaceted Engagement
Stronger Together : A Multifaceted Engagement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Brussels on 30th Mar 2016 on the first leg of his three-nation tour of Belgium, the United States and Saudi Arabia from 30th Mar to 03 April 2016 .
He held a bilateral summit meeting with Prime Minister Charles Michel. The two leaders underlined the excellent relations between Belgium and India and their shared commonalities as two mature democracies committed to the rule of law, federalism and pluralism. They also underlined their shared interest in strengthening global non-proliferation objectives.
Prime Minister invited His Majesty the King and Queen of Belgium to visit India in 2017 which would mark 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Belgium was among the first European countries to establish diplomatic relations with India in September 1947.
Both the leaders acknowledged the growing convergence of views on regional and international issues and committed to work together in close partnership on a range of issues of mutual interest and welcomed the inception of an institutionalised political dialogue between India and Belgium.
They acknowledged the remote technical activation of the optical infrared telescope in Devasthal in India, jointly developed by ARIES (Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences) of India and the Belgian company AMOS (Advanced Mechanical and Optical Systems) as a concrete demonstration of successful collaboration.
Prime Minister Michel reiterated Belgium’s support for India’s permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
The Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, and the Prime Minister of Belgium, Mr. Charles Michel met in Brussels on 30 March, 2016.
The two Prime Ministers underscored the deep rooted relations between Belgium and India and their shared commonalities as two mature democracies committed to the rule of law, federalism and pluralism. Both leaders acknowledged the growing convergence of views on regional and international issues and welcomed the inception of an institutionalized political dialogue between India and Belgium.
Lauding the vital role played by, and the supreme sacrifice made by more than 9,000 Indian troops in Flanders fields, Belgium, during the First World War, the two leaders recalled India’s participation in the inaugural commemorative events held at Nieuwpoort and Ypres in Belgium in October 2014 and welcomed the ongoing commemorative celebrations underway till 2018.
Expressing deep shock and anguish at the terrorist attacks in Brussels on 22 March 2016 they confirmed their commitment to remain united and firm in the fight against hatred, violent extremism and terrorism and resolved to work together to drive forward international efforts in forums like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Noting with satisfaction, the presence of more than 160 Belgian companies in India and around 80 Indian companies in Belgium the leaders committed to further strengthening the economic engagement by diversifying the bilateral trade basket and expanding investment ties. They looked forward to the conclusion of the amending protocol that makes the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) more comprehensive and contemporary.
Acknowledging the longstanding cooperation between the two countries in the Ports sector, they welcomed the imminent extension of the agreement between the Government of Flanders and the Ministry of Shipping for another two years, as well as the ongoing collaboration between the Port of Antwerp and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust to develop a Joint Training Center under the MoU signed in February 2015.
They also welcomed the ongoing negotiations to cooperate in the area of Information Communication Technology and Electronics (ICT&E) across a broad spectrum of domains including e-Governance/Mobile Governance, Cybersecurity, institutional framework between major research institutions, Education and Training in ICT and looked forward to early conclusion of an agreement.
Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Charles Michel jointly carried out the remote technical activation of a 3.6 metre optical telescope located at Deosthal in Uttarakhand. The telescope at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), has been installed in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, as a result of close collaboration between scientists from the two countries, especially between the teams of ARIES in India, and AMOS (Advanced Mechanical and Optical Systems) in Belgium. It will contribute to observations for several frontline scientific applications.
"A combination of Belgian capacities & India’s economic growth can produce promising opportunities for both sides"
–Prime Minister Narendra Modi
"Nothing is impossible, once efforts are coordinated"
–Prime Minister Narendra Modi
The visit also saw Prime Minister Modi attend the 13th India-EU Summit, at the invitation of the President of the European Council, Mr. Donald Tusk and the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker.
Aimed at expanding trade, investment and high-technology partnership, it was his first official visit to the EU member state.
India and EU are Strategic Partners since 2004. EU is India’s leading trade & investment partner and biggest export destination. The focus of 13th India-EU Summit was to deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership and advance collaboration in priority areas for India’s growth and development.
The 13th EU-India Summit was held in Brussels on 30 March 2016. The EU was represented by Mr. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, and Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission. The Republic of India was represented by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.The EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the Commission, Ms Federica Mogherini, and the Minister of Commerce and Industry of India, Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, also attended the Summit.
As global partners and the world's largest democracies, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the EU-India Strategic Partnership based on shared values and principles.They reconfirmed their commitment to give new momentum to the bilateral relationship endorsing the EU-India Agenda for Action 2020 setting out a concrete road-map for the EU-India Strategic Partnership for the next five years.
Condemning the terrorist attacks in Brussels on 22 March 2016 as an unacceptable affront to open democratic societies the leaders extended their deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims. The EU and India reaffirmed their commitment to remain united and firm in the fight against hatred, violent extremism and terrorism by adopting a Joint Declaration on Counter Terrorism.
Both sides decided to further strengthen the EU-India economic partnership. The EU’s Agenda for Jobs, Growth, Fairness and Democratic Change and India’s “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” – (“Collective Efforts, Inclusive Growth”) initiatives create new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between people and businesses on both sides.
The EU and India decided to step up their cooperation to fight climate change and adopted the ‘Joint Declaration between the EU and India on a Clean Energy and Climate Partnership’.
The‘Joint Declaration by the European Union and the Republic of India on Indo-European Water Partnership’ adopted at the Summit foresees strengthening technological, scientific and management capabilities in the field of water management and supports the Indian 'Clean Ganga' and 'Clean India' flagship projects.
The leaders also endorsed the establishment of the Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility (CAMM) between the EU and India, reflecting the importance of India as a strategic partner for the EU in the field of migration and mobility. Both sides expressed their commitment to step up foreign policy and security cooperation. They discussed the latest developments in the EU's and India's respective neighbourhoods.
