India and Belgium Deepen Economic and Strategic Cooperation

07 May 2025 CW Team

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met with Belgian Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken and Minister-President of Flanders Matthias Diependaele in Brussels to advance India–Belgium economic cooperation. The meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration in trade, investment, technology, and innovation.

This engagement follows the March visit of Princess Astrid of Belgium to India, which renewed momentum in bilateral ties. Both sides discussed growing synergies in semiconductors, clean energy, defence production and pharmaceuticals, identifying the Flanders region as a key strategic partner due to its robust industrial and research ecosystem.

The meeting reviewed progress in the European Union–India Free Trade Agreement negotiations, with emphasis on removing tariff and non-tariff barriers. Goyal reaffirmed India’s status as a reliable and long-term economic partner, noting its transformative growth story and reform-driven environment.

Bilateral trade between India and Belgium reached USD 15.07 Bn in two thousand twenty-three to twenty-four. Belgian foreign direct investment into India stood at USD 3.94 Bn since April two thousand, with a thirty-nine per cent increase in the last year alone.

Both sides agreed to expand high-level dialogues and boost business exchanges to fast-track mutual growth.

Source:Press Information Bureau, Government of India

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Pune To Build Nine Km Link Road Between Highways

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to appoint an expert to plan the development of a nine km long, 60 metre wide road from Khadi Machine chowk to Wadki chowk as an extension to the Katraj-Kondhwa road to link the Mumbai-Satara and Pune-Solapur national highways. The scheme is intended to divert heavy vehicle traffic away from the city and improve access between the two arterial routes. The project has been prioritised by the PMC and forms part of a larger set of schemes in which 19 roads have been identified for development at a combined cost of Rs 9.82 billion (bn) to address c..

Barabanki Bahraich Six Lane Highway Approved in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved construction of a new six-lane highway linking Barabanki and Bahraich as part of National Highway 927, and the cabinet has cleared the project. The alignment will pass through Mustafabad and Kaiserganj and extend for about 101.5 km, creating a key corridor for local and long-distance movement. The National Highways Authority of India will oversee the work and has signalled the scheme is intended to strengthen regional connectivity and cross-border access to Nepal. The project carries an estimated total cost of Rs 69,690 million, equivalent to Rs 69.69..

Toll At Kharegaon Likely As Highway Upgrade Nears Completion

A section of the highway at Kharegaon has undergone an upgrade and is approaching completion, and authorities have indicated plans for a toll to be introduced once works finish. The project has focused on strengthening the carriageway, improving drainage and upgrading intersections to enhance safety and capacity. Officials have said the toll will be used to recover construction costs and fund ongoing maintenance. The upgrade included resurfacing of the pavement, widening of certain stretches and installation of modern signage and lighting to reduce accident risk. Contractors completed most ma..