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brussels [बेल्जियम]July 15 (ANI): Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a series of high-level meetings with EU Commissioners and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval on Tuesday (local time). The meetings discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, clean energy, trade, investment and sustainable industrial development, as India and the EU look to deepen their strategic economic partnership.

Meeting with the European Commissioner for Agriculture

Goyal said he met European Agriculture and Food Commissioner Christoph Hansen and discussed enhancing cooperation in the agri-food sector following the successful conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). "Had a productive meeting with Mr Christoph Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food. Building on the successful conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, we discussed ways to further deepen our agricultural partnership by strengthening resilient agri-food value chains, enhancing food security, supporting farmers and promoting sustainable development," Goyal said in a post on Twitter.

Discussion on climate and clean development

In another meeting, Goyal interacted with European Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Development Wopke Hoekstra, with a focus on enhancing cooperation in climate action, renewable energy and green technologies. "Pleased to meet Mr Wopke Hoekstra, EU Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth. We exchanged views on strengthening India-EU cooperation in clean growth, climate action and sustainable industrial growth," Goyal said in another post. He further added, “Our discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in renewable energy, green hydrogen, clean technologies, innovation, investment and resilient value chains to support our shared net-zero ambitions.”

Meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium

The Commerce Minister also met David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture of Belgium, to discuss expanding bilateral economic cooperation. "Had an excellent meeting with Mr. David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture of Belgium. We discussed expanding India-Belgium cooperation in trade, investment, technology, logistics and workforce mobility. We also exchanged views on the transformative potential of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and reaffirmed our shared commitment to further strengthen economic ties for the mutual benefit of our businesses and people," Goyal said in a separate post on X.

Agenda of two day visit

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Goyal is on a two-day visit to Belgium from July 14 to July 15, during which he will attend meetings aimed at strengthening India's trade and investment partnership with the EU. The Minister is scheduled to visit the Port of Antwerp to study best practices in multimodal connectivity, green logistics and resilient supply chains, and explore opportunities for India's gems and jewelery sector through greater collaboration across the global diamond value chain at the Antwerp World Diamond Centre.

Goyal is also expected to hold CEO-level meetings with Alain Quervin of Thales Group and Jean-Christophe Bogaert of Silox Group to discuss cooperation in sectors including aerospace, defence, cyber security, specialty chemicals, battery recycling and sustainable manufacturing.

India-EU Trade and Technology Council

The visit also includes participation in the India-EU Trade Roundtable and the 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Ministerial Meeting, where discussions are expected to focus on foreign direct investment, trade facilitation, reliable technology, sustainable industrial growth and resilient supply chains.

During the Brussels visit, Goyal is co-chairing the 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council Ministerial Meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasad. The TTC serves as the apex institutional mechanism for cooperation between India and the EU on trade, trusted technology and economic security. (ANI)