Prime Minister Narendra Modi

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with Princess Astrid of Belgium in New Delhi on 4 March 2025.

♦ The discussions covered a broad spectrum of areas, including trade, investment, technology, defence, innovation, clean energy, infrastructure, agriculture, skilling, academic exchanges, and cultural cooperation.

♦ Both sides explored opportunities for expanding collaboration in emerging sectors, aiming to enhance economic resilience and foster innovation-driven growth.

♦ Princess Astrid is leading a high-level Belgian Economic Mission during her visit to India, which runs from March 1 to 8.

The fourth India-Vietnam Policy

♦ The fourth India-Vietnam Policy Planning Dialogue took place in New Delhi on 4 March 2025.

♦ The meeting was co-chaired by Raghuram S, Joint Secretary (Policy Planning and Research), MEA, and Le Dinh Tinh, Director General of the Policy Planning Department, Ministry       of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Vietnam. Discussions covered a broad range of geopolitical issues.

♦ The dialogue provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on regional and global matters, including developments in the Indo-Pacific region, the functioning of multilateral institutions, and priorities of the Global South.

India and Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding

♦ India and Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi to enhance cooperation in the Water Sanitation, Hygiene sector, and waste management on 3 March 2025. The primary agenda of the agreement is to promote collaboration between the two nations and strengthen intergovernmental cooperation in the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) sector, ensuring better access to clean drinking water and sanitation for their populations. 

♦ Speaking at the event, Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, emphasized that the MoU reflects the shared commitment of both countries towards public health, sustainability, and regional cooperation.

Rajnath Singh held a meeting with Princess Astrid of Belgium

♦ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with Princess Astrid of Belgium and the Defence Minister Theo Francken in New Delhi on 3 MArch 2025. They discussed the possibility of defence engagements in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in maritime domain. They also discussed ways and means to enhance defence industrial cooperation between the two countries. 

♦ Both countries agreed to explore an institutionalised defence cooperation mechanism. 

♦ Princess Astrid is leading the Belgian delegation to India from March 1-8 to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties. The delegation includes representatives from 36 Brussels-based companies, with a focus on key industries like pharmaceuticals, logistics, aerospace, and renewable energy.