New Delhi, Sep 2026 : Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Friday held discussions with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever on expanding cooperation in the civil aviation sector, with a focus on direct air connectivity, air cargo and advanced air mobility, an official statement said.
The talks covered options for establishing or strengthening direct air links between India and Belgium, improving air cargo services for the high-value pharmaceutical sector and exploring opportunities in advanced air mobility, including emerging aviation technologies.
Naidu said the discussions were aimed at further deepening the growing bilateral relationship between the two countries. In a post on X, he said he was honoured to meet the Belgian Prime Minister and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in civil aviation.
“Honored to meet Prime Minister of Belgium. Discussed further strengthening of India-Belgium cooperation in civil aviation, including direct air connectivity, air cargo for the high-value pharmaceutical sector and Advanced air mobility,” Naidu said.
The minister also highlighted the potential for increased trade and investment between the two countries following the conclusion of negotiations on the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
“With the India–EU FTA negotiations concluded under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi, there is tremendous potential to further deepen India–Belgium trade and investment ties,” Naidu added.
De Wever is on a three-day official visit to India from September 2 to 4. During the visit, he held high-level bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on strengthening trade and investment ties between India and Belgium, besides reviewing the timely implementation of the India-EU FTA.
The proposed India-EU trade agreement, described by policymakers as the “mother of all deals”, was announced in January following negotiations that lasted nearly two decades. The agreement is currently undergoing legal scrutiny and other procedural formalities ahead of its formal signing and implementation.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently said India and the European Union are expected to formally sign the long-awaited FTA by December this year, with the agreement likely to come into force between February and March next year.
The pact is expected to significantly expand market access for Indian exporters by providing near-zero duty access to most of the European market. Around 93 per cent of Indian exports are expected to receive duty-free access under the proposed agreement.
The deal is expected to particularly benefit labour-intensive sectors such as fisheries, textiles and footwear. Indian exports of chemicals and pharmaceutical products are also expected to gain from improved market access.
Under the agreement, India is set to eliminate tariffs on 86 per cent of tariff lines, covering 93 per cent of imports in value terms.
The civil aviation discussions assume significance as India and Belgium seek to deepen economic engagement. Improved air connectivity and more efficient cargo links could facilitate business travel, trade and movement of high-value goods, particularly pharmaceutical products, while cooperation in advanced air mobility could open new avenues for technological collaboration.
