Union Minister Piyush Goyal welcomed Princess Astrid of Belgium in New Delhi, marking her visit which runs from March 2 to March 8. Accompanied by a substantial economic mission, including 335 delegates and 180 companies, Princess Astrid aims to strengthen ties with India, focusing on key sectors such as renewable energy and defence. The visit highlights Belgium’s commitment to enhancing strategic relations with India.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal welcomed Princess Astrid of Belgium in New Delhi on Sunday. Upon her arrival, Mr. Goyal greeted the Princess with a bouquet of white orchids, marking the beginning of her visit to India. The Princess, sister of Belgium’s King Philippe, is scheduled to be in India from March 2 to March 8, where she will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in addition to visiting various states including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and the national capital.
Princess Astrid’s visit will feature an economic mission consisting of a delegation comprising 335 members and representatives from 180 companies. The Belgian Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, will also accompany the Princess in this significant initiative. According to Belgian Ambassador to India, Didier Vanderhasselt, the visit represents the highest level of diplomatic engagement from Belgium, underscoring the importance of this mission in strengthening bilateral ties.
The delegation will focus on hosting at least 14 seminars and conferences that will address sectors such as renewable energy, defence, eco-construction, life sciences, and steel decarbonisation. The aim of these gatherings is to enhance collaboration in strategic areas, demonstrating a commitment to fostering a nuanced and productive partnership.
Ambassador Vanderhasselt expressed optimism about elevating the relationship between the European Union and India, as well as specifically between Belgium and India. He noted, “India has a very impressive growth of 5-7% every year. So India is very high on our priority list, and it is certainly on the map when it comes to our economic actors.” This visit represents a pivotal opportunity for both nations as they aim to solidify their economic and strategic partnerships.
In summary, Princess Astrid of Belgium’s visit to India symbolizes a significant diplomatic initiative aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and cooperation. With a robust economic mission and a focus on various key sectors, the delegation aims to build stronger ties between Belgium and India, recognizing India’s impressive growth and potential as a reliable partnership. This engagement reflects the increasing strategic relationship between the European Union and India, emphasizing mutual interests in economic growth and collaboration.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
