India’s diplomatic and economic outreach to Europe gained significant momentum this week, with back-to-back engagements in Belgium and Romania aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and strategic cooperation under the broader India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) framework.
During the third round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in Brussels on Tuesday (November 4, 2025), India and Belgium reaffirmed their commitment to expediting negotiations on the India–EU FTA. The Ministry of External Affairs said both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, from economic and defence cooperation to science, innovation, renewable energy, and education.
“Both sides also discussed the importance of deepening India-European Union (EU) ties, following the historic visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February this year and the communication on the new India-EU Strategic Agenda,” the MEA said in a statement.
What did India discuss with Belgium beyond trade?
Officials noted that the meeting followed recent high-level visits, including that of HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium, and reflected a shared intent to achieve a balanced and mutually beneficial trade agreement that boosts economic integration between India and the European Union.
India-Belgium talks also focused on strategic cooperation, technology exchange, and multilateral coordination. The two sides underlined the importance of a stronger India–EU partnership, particularly after the visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February 2025, which paved the way for a new India–EU Strategic Agenda.
Further, both Brussels and New Delhi remain committed to expanding ties across defence, security, renewable energy, and innovation ecosystems, positioning the partnership as a cornerstone of India’s engagement with Western Europe. “The two sides also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues of importance,” the MEA shared.
What was the focus of India’s economic dialogue with Romania?
Parallel to the Brussels consultations, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Jitin Prasada led a business delegation to Romania on Wednesday (Novermber 5, 2025) to participate in the India–Romania Business Forum in Brașov.
The event, organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brașov (CCIBv) in partnership with the Embassy of India in Bucharest and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), brought together business leaders from sectors such as automotive, aerospace, defence, renewable energy, engineering services, and ICT.
Prasada held bilateral talks with Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu, where both sides reiterated their goal of concluding the India–EU FTA within this year, in line with the political direction set by New Delhi and Brussels.
How trade and investment ties with Romania are expanding?
At the Brașov forum, Prasada highlighted India’s emergence as one of the fastest-growing major economies, inviting Romanian enterprises to invest in India’s manufacturing and innovation ecosystem through the Make in India and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes.
Both sides took note of Romania’s annual requirement for approximately 100,000 non-EU workers. They expressed readiness to create a pathway for about 30,000 skilled and aspirational Indian professionals annually.
The session also saw the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and matchmaking interactions to explore joint ventures and technology partnerships between Indian and Romanian companies. India’s exports to Romania crossed $1.03 billion in FY 2024–25, while bilateral trade touched $2.98 billion in FY 2023–24.
Growth in India’s exports to Romania was driven by sectors such as petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and ceramics.
What India’s recent push signals about the broader trade strategy?
The twin engagements in Belgium and Romania underline India’s renewed diplomatic and economic thrust across Europe, as it seeks to diversify trade partnerships and fast-track the long-pending FTA with the EU. With trade talks now gaining traction, India is not only focusing on tariff negotiations but also on building resilient supply chains, technology collaborations, and industrial partnerships across critical and emerging sectors.
Moreover, the current outreach reflects New Delhi’s strategic shift toward deeper integration with European economies, aiming to transform India into a trusted partner in the global value chain amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.