Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever visited the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) in Mumbai on Tuesday, using the platform to highlight the deep‑rooted India–Belgium diamond relationship and opportunities for stronger trade and economic cooperation. The visit marked the first time a Belgian head of government had traveled to India specifically to engage with the diamond sector in two decades, a detail De Wever’s hosts emphasized as a sign of the industry’s importance to bilateral ties.
Centuries of Trade
De Wever traced the relationship between the two nations to centuries of diamond commerce, noting the evolution of India from a traditional cutting centre to a technology‑driven, high‑quality diamond manufacturing hub. He described the two markets as complementary, with India offering manufacturing expertise and scale, while Belgium and Antwerp provide access to international buyers, trading networks and global markets.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the contribution of the Indian diamond community in Antwerp, highlighting the role of Indian entrepreneurs in building the city’s diamond ecosystem. During the visit, he pointed to the recently concluded India–European Union Free Trade Agreement as an important milestone that could further strengthen commercial ties, suggesting the relationship has potential to extend beyond diamonds into manufacturing, technology, logistics, services and investment.
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Addressing the gathering, Anoop V. Mehta, President of the BDB, said De Wever had chosen to devote part of his Mumbai visit to the diamond industry, calling it a strong signal of the sector’s importance to bilateral relations. The event was attended by senior government officials and representatives of the diamond trade, including Bharat Shah, President of the Mumbai Diamond Merchants’ Association; Chirag Shah, Vice‑President of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre; Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner of the MMRDA; and Santosh Kumar Mishra, Commissioner of Customs in Mumbai.
A Gateway to Europe
H.E. Pranay Verma, Ambassador of India to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union, described Belgium as an important gateway for Indian businesses seeking access to European markets. He said the Prime Minister’s visit marked the beginning of a stronger chapter in India–Belgium economic relations.
Mumbai and Antwerp continue to serve as two critical nodes in the international diamond pipeline, a reality that reinforces a shared message: the historic India–Belgium diamond corridor remains central to bilateral trade, while the next phase of the relationship is expected to encompass technology, investment, skills and wider access to global markets.
