\n\tNew Delhi\/IBNS: “Chocolate is excellent for diplomacy, but not excellent for diplomatic travel, we noticed,” Belgium Prime Minister Bart De Wever remarked after a carefully planned gift for his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi broke during transit.<\/p>\n
\n\tDe Wever, who arrived in India for a three-day visit beginning September 2, had planned to present Modi with a replica of India Gate made entirely of chocolate.<\/p>\n
\n\tHowever, the elaborate gift did not make it to India in one piece.<\/p>\n
\n\tChocolate India Gate breaks during transit<\/p>\n
\n\tAlthough De Wever reached India as planned, the chocolate replica of India Gate was damaged during transit.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Belgium Embassy in New Delhi shared a photograph of the elaborate creation on X. Handcrafted by Belgian chocolatier Neuhaus, the replica featured inscriptions honouring Indian soldiers who died during World War I and the Third Afghan War.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\t\tThe embassy wrote on X, “The viral India Gate made of chocolate you were wondering about\u2026 PM @Bart_DeWever had hoped to present this sweet Belgian creation to PM @narendramodi. Unfortunately, it broke! But PM is determined that it finds its way to PM Modi & India \u2014 next time!”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\tModi, De Wever hold bilateral talks<\/p>\n
\n\tThe chocolate mishap came during De Wever’s first official visit to India since becoming Belgium’s Prime Minister in February 2025.<\/p>\n
\n\tPrime Minister Narendra Modi met De Wever in New Delhi on September 3, with the two leaders holding bilateral and delegation-level talks on strengthening India-Belgium relations.<\/p>\n
\n\tTrade, technology and investment in focus<\/p>\n
\n\tThe discussions covered a wide range of areas, including trade and investment, defence and security, clean energy, critical minerals, semiconductors, technology, connectivity and people-to-people ties.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe two sides also welcomed the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and agreed to further expand economic cooperation.<\/p>\n
\n\tA key outcome of the talks was the decision to establish an Investment Fast-Track Mechanism to facilitate Belgian investments in India.<\/p>\n
\n\tModi also said India and Belgium had set a target of doubling bilateral trade over the next five years.<\/p>\n
\n\tDefence cooperation discussed<\/p>\n
\n\tDefence and security also featured prominently in the discussions.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\t\tIndia and Belgium agreed to strengthen military exchanges, training and capacity-building, while also discussing maritime security and cooperation in emerging defence technologies.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\tUkraine, West Asia and counter-terrorism<\/p>\n
\n\tModi and De Wever also exchanged views on international developments, including the situations in Ukraine and West Asia.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe two leaders reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy and stressed the significance of maritime security. They also reiterated their shared commitment to combating terrorism.<\/p>\n
\n\tDespite the broken chocolate gift, De Wever remained determined to ensure that the India Gate replica eventually reaches India and PM Modi.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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