Belgian Prime Minister Says Europe Ignored India's Early Warning on Trade Dependence

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever told an audience at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event that Europe is having a “rude awakening” over its growing reliance on a few foreign suppliers. He hinted that the warning came not from Brussels but from New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sounded the alarm years ago.

"India saw the danger first and tried to tell us," De Wever said, recalling that European markets had let massive overcapacity flow in at rock‑bottom prices, eroding local industry. "We ignored it. We listened now," he added, noting that the warning was aimed especially at a neighbour whose trade practices have often been described as predatory – a thinly‑veiled reference to China.

The Belgian leader stressed that the lesson is obvious: economic ties can be turned into political leverage. “We don’t want dependencies that can be weaponised against us,” he warned, pointing to the broader geopolitical shift where supply chains are becoming tools of influence.

Yet, amidst the criticism, De Wever positioned India as a bright spot on Europe’s partnership horizon. "India is number one on the list of economies we can trust," he said, highlighting the country’s democratic credentials, massive talent pool and potential for cooperation in trade, investment, technology and resilient supply chains.

He explained that Europe’s ambition is not to shut itself off from the world, but to diversify. Openness to global trade, he argued, must be balanced with safeguarding strategic sectors. “Defence, innovation, and reliable supply chains are the pillars of a fair partnership,” he noted.

On the defence front, the two sides are already moving forward. Ten agreements were signed on the sidelines of Modi’s meeting with De Wever, paving the way for joint production of military equipment in India using Belgian technology, as well as expanded training, intelligence sharing and broader security cooperation.

De Wever concluded on a hopeful note, suggesting that in a world increasingly asking nations to pick sides, Europe and India can choose a different path – one built on mutual respect, shared interests and a commitment to a free, prosperous future.