Union Minister Piyush Goyal Welcomes Princess Astrid of Belgium to India

Union Minister Piyush Goyal welcomed Princess Astrid of Belgium in New Delhi, marking her week-long visit to India. The visit, from March 2 to March 8, includes meetings with top officials and a large economic delegation focusing on enhancing bilateral relations. Key sectors of interest include renewable energy and defense, reflecting Belgium’s commitment to strategic partnerships with India.

On March 2, 2023, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, officially welcomed Princess Astrid of Belgium upon her arrival in New Delhi. The reception included friendly exchanges between the delegations from both countries, with Mr. Goyal presenting the Princess a bouquet of exquisite white orchids to mark the occasion.

Princess Astrid, sister to Belgium’s King Philippe, is on a week-long visit to India that will last until March 8. During her stay, she is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and she will also visit various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Delhi, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The visit, characterized as a Belgian economic mission, includes a substantial delegation of 335 members representing 180 companies. Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, is also participating as part of this delegation, as detailed by Belgium’s Ambassador to India, Didier Vanderhasselt. He noted that this visit represents the highest level of diplomatic engagement from the Belgian side.

The visit of Princess Astrid of Belgium signals a strengthening of economic ties between Belgium and India, emphasizing mutual interests in key sectors. The delegation’s focus on strategic areas such as renewable energy and defense illustrates Belgium’s commitment to fostering a robust partnership with India, which has become a key priority for Belgian economic actors. Overall, this mission reflects the intention to enhance bilateral relations and collaboration on various fronts.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com