Princess Astrid, the second child of King Albert II and Queen Paola, and sister to King Philippe, leads Belgium’s economic missions as representative of the King.
As per Belgian Monarchy, these missions contribute to the development of economic and trade relations between Belgium and its regions and numerous foreign partners. During her visit to India, Princess Astrid of Belgium, accompanied by a delegation of 335 members and 180 companies, is slated to meet key Indian leaders including PM Narendra Modi and EAM Jaishankar.
The delegation aims to strengthen economic and trade relations through 14 seminars covering sectors like renewable energy, defense, and life sciences.
India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with Princess Astrid and the Defense Minister of Belgium Mr Theo Francken. Both sides discussed the possibility of defense engagements in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in maritime domain. They also discussed ways and means to enhance defence industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Mr. Singh welcomed Belgian investments in the defence sector. He suggested that the Belgian companies could play an important role by expanding their footprint in India and integrating the Indian vendors in their supply chains. Further, both countries agreed to explore an institutionalized defense cooperation mechanism.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also met with Belgium’s foreign minister, Maxime Prevot, at Hyderabad House before the arrival of Princess Astrid of the Kingdom of Belgium. He talked about a historical connection between India & Belgium: “We have war memorials to Indian soldiers on your lands. What has been, I think a very good, steady relationship in a range of issues, trade, industry, education, innovation, and culture today has the possibility of growing in a more contemporary format.”
He added: “We are looking and discussing semiconductors and AI and clean energy and research and innovation and I’m particularly pleased that we also have an opportunity to welcome her Royal Highness Princess Astrid and the economic mission to have, I think, close to 360 businesses coming is something really impressive and I must say that it will give them an opportunity to assess what is happening in India to take advantage of make in India, designing in India, researching in India, innovating in India, and we are very confident that the economic mission will actually lead to a higher level of cooperation.”
He also desired to discuss important geopolitical issues. The world is more than normally interesting at these times.
Belgian Economic Mission to India
Princess Astrid is on a Belgian Economic Mission to India, travelling with a delegation of 335 members and 180 companies. The itinerary released by the MEA’s statement earlier had also highlighted that the princess was visiting the Travancore Palace in New Delhi. The palace is the former residence of the Maharaja of Travancore, at Kasturba Gandhi Marg, in the national capital.
On Monday the 3rd March 2025, she met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House. Later, on March 4, Tuesday, she will be meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following the official meeting, on March 5-6, the Princess will be participating in programs in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Following the meeting, on the next day, she will be having a courtesy meeting with Maharashtra governor C P Radhakrishnan.
Belgium is a country in northwestern Europe. It is bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and France. It also has a small coastline on the North Sea. It is one of the founding members of the European Union and is home to the European Union. Its Capital is Brussels, with official languages Dutch, French, German. It is one of the smallest and most densely populated European countries. it has been, since its independence in 1830, a representative democracy headed by a hereditary constitutional monarch.
Belgium is famous for beer, chocolate, waffles and French fries. The national dishes are “steak and fries”, and “mussels with fries”. Many highly ranked Belgian restaurants can be found in the most influential restaurant guides, such as the Michelin Guide.
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