Union Minister Piyush Goyal welcomed Princess Astrid of Belgium in New Delhi as she embarks on an official visit to India from March 2-8. Accompanied by a large delegation, she aims to foster economic ties between Belgium and India, with numerous seminars planned across various sectors.
On Sunday, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal welcomed Princess Astrid of Belgium upon her arrival in New Delhi. During the formal greeting, Mr. Goyal presented the Princess with a bouquet of white orchids, marking a warm reception.
Princess Astrid, the sister of Belgium’s King Philippe, is visiting India from March 2 to March 8. Her itinerary includes meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, along with visits to states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Delhi, as detailed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
According to the Belgian Ambassador to India, Didier Vanderhasselt, Princess Astrid leads a significant economic mission comprising 335 members and 180 companies. The delegation also includes Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, emphasizing the importance of this trip.
Ambassador Vanderhasselt remarked, “It is the highest format that we have on the Belgian side, led by H.H. Princess Astrid as the representative of the king. Our new Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is also our Deputy Prime Minister, and other ministers will also be accompanying the delegation of 335 members and 180 companies.”
The mission will feature at least 14 seminars and conferences targeting various sectors, including renewable energy, defense, eco-construction, life sciences, and steel decarbonization. The envoy underscored the intention of developing a more strategic relationship between both the European Union and India while prioritizing economic partnerships.
As stated by the ambassador, “We need reliable partners all over the world. 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.”
In summary, the visit of Princess Astrid of Belgium to India highlights a strong commitment to enhancing economic and strategic partnerships. The significant attendance of Belgian officials and business representatives signifies the prioritization of India as a key partner for economic growth. The scheduled conferences will address critical sectors, underscoring the mutual interests between Belgium and India.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
