Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever on Friday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his practical approach, rational thinking and ability to make wise decisions. He also described Modi as “one of the most inspiring" world leaders.
De Wever was speaking at the India-Belgium High-Level Dialogue on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He recalled meeting Modi in Delhi a day earlier and described his visit to India as a significant occasion.
“For me, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honour to be here. Finally, I’m in India. The previous trip had to be cancelled due to COVID. Now, I am here. And what an honour to meet your Prime Minister, Prime Minister Modi, in Delhi yesterday", De Wever said.
He said Modi's leadership style stood out among world leaders. De Wever argued that many international leaders often create fear or uncertainty through their statements. However, he said Modi's words have a different effect on people.
“I consider him to be one of the most inspiring world leaders we have. If you hear many world leaders, you feel afraid, disturbed, threatened. But when Mr. Modi speaks, you think, ‘we should do what he says'". De Wever further praised Modi's approach to leadership and decision-making. “He is a wise leader", De Wever said.
Belgian PM Takes Veiled Swipe at Donald Trump
During his address, De Wever also appeared to criticise US President Donald Trump's approach to international trade without naming him directly. He questioned the growing use of tariffs and trade barriers by countries around the world. De Wever particularly criticised policies that he described as unpredictable and arbitrary.
“More and more voices today are calling for barriers to go up, for markets to be shut off, for tariffs to be imposed. Some do this entirely arbitrarily. They decide something on Monday, they revoke it on Wednesday, and they reinstall it on Saturday," De Wever said.
His remarks came as countries continue to face uncertainty over changing global trade policies. He called for stronger economic partnerships and greater support for open markets instead of increasing barriers to international commerce.
Belgium Pushes for Stronger India-EU Trade Ties
De Wever's comments came during discussions focused on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. The high-level dialogue in Mumbai brought attention to the importance of stronger economic cooperation between India and European countries.
The Belgian prime minister arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday, September 2. He was accompanied by Belgium's Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken, along with a high-level delegation.
During his visit, De Wever met Prime Minister Modi in Delhi. His remarks in Mumbai highlighted Belgium's interest in strengthening economic relations with India while supporting more predictable and open global trade. The visit also underlined the growing importance of India-EU economic ties at a time when changing tariff policies and trade restrictions are reshaping international commerce.
Belgian PM Bart De Wever Praises Narendra Modi
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever on Friday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his practical approach, rational thinking and ability to make wise decisions. He also described Modi as “one of the most inspiring" world leaders.
De Wever was speaking at the India-Belgium High-Level Dialogue on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He recalled meeting Modi in Delhi a day earlier and described his visit to India as a significant occasion. “For me, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great honour to be here. Finally, I’m in India. The previous trip had to be cancelled due to COVID. Now, I am here. And what an honour to meet your Prime Minister, Prime Minister Modi, in Delhi yesterday", De Wever said.
He said Modi's leadership style stood out among world leaders. De Wever argued that many international leaders often create fear or uncertainty through their statements. However, he said Modi's words have a different effect on people. “I consider him to be one of the most inspiring world leaders we have. If you hear many world leaders, you feel afraid, disturbed, threatened. But when Mr. Modi speaks, you think, ‘we should do what he says'". De Wever further praised Modi's approach to leadership and decision-making. “He is a wise leader", De Wever said.
Belgian PM Takes Veiled Swipe at Donald Trump
During his address, De Wever also appeared to criticise US President Donald Trump's approach to international trade without naming him directly. He questioned the growing use of tariffs and trade barriers by countries around the world. De Wever particularly criticised policies that he described as unpredictable and arbitrary.
“More and more voices today are calling for barriers to go up, for markets to be shut off, for tariffs to be imposed. Some do this entirely arbitrarily. They decide something on Monday, they revoke it on Wednesday, and they reinstall it on Saturday," De Wever said.
His remarks came as countries continue to face uncertainty over changing global trade policies. He called for stronger economic partnerships and greater support for open markets instead of increasing barriers to international commerce.
Belgium Pushes for Stronger India-EU Trade Ties
De Wever's comments came during discussions focused on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. The high-level dialogue in Mumbai brought attention to the importance of stronger economic cooperation between India and European countries. The Belgian prime minister arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday, September 2. He was accompanied by Belgium's Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken, along with a high-level delegation.
During his visit, De Wever met Prime Minister Modi in Delhi. His remarks in Mumbai highlighted Belgium's interest in strengthening economic relations with India while supporting more predictable and open global trade. The visit also underlined the growing importance of India-EU economic ties at a time when changing tariff policies and trade restrictions are reshaping international commerce.
