Union Minister Piyush Goyal Welcomes Princess Astrid of Belgium in New Delhi
Union Minister Piyush Goyal welcomed Princess Astrid of Belgium to New Delhi on March 2. She is leading a significant economic mission with a delegation of 335 members and is set to meet key Indian officials. The mission aims to strengthen bilateral relations through numerous conferences focusing on various sectors, including renewable energy and defence.
On Sunday, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, welcomed Princess Astrid of Belgium upon her arrival in New Delhi. This ceremony included greetings exchanged between both delegations, with Mr. Goyal presenting the Princess with a bouquet of exquisite white orchids.
Princess Astrid, sibling of King Philippe of Belgium, is scheduled to visit India from March 2 to March 8. During her stay, she will hold discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar while visiting states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and the capital, New Delhi, as per a statement released by the External Affairs Ministry (MEA).
The Princess is leading a Belgian economic mission to India, accompanied by a delegation comprising 335 members and representatives from 180 companies. Belgian Ambassador to India, Didier Vanderhasselt, confirmed that Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot will also attend this mission alongside Princess Astrid.
Vanderhasselt emphasized, “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.”
He further noted that the mission will feature at least 14 seminars and conferences that will focus on crucial sectors including renewable energy, defence, eco-construction, life sciences, and steel decarbonisation. He stated, “We are going towards a more intense and strategic relationship between the EU and India as well as between Belgium and India.”
The Ambassador underscored the importance of India as a reliable economic partner, citing its impressive growth rate of 5-7% annually. Consequently, he affirmed that India remains a priority for Belgium’s economic strategies and initiatives.
The visit of Princess Astrid represents a significant step in strengthening the economic ties between Belgium and India. Her engagement with high-level Indian officials and the presence of a large delegation underline the importance Belgium places on fostering strategic partnerships with India. Emphasizing collaboration in various sectors indicates a mutual interest in enhancing bilateral relations for future growth.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
