For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts
Oneindia App Download

Belgian royal couple accorded ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan

The Royal couple is on a seven-day visit to India with an aim of boosting overall cooperation between India and Belgium, with a focus on further ramping up trade and investment ties.

By Chennabasaveshwar
|
Google Oneindia News

Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were accorded ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday.

 President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife Savita receive Belgian Royal couple King Philippe and Queen Mathilde during a ceremonial reception at Forecourt in Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also seen. PTI Photo

Belgian Royal couple met with President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries.

After the ceremonial reception, Belgium's King Philippe, said, "This (India) is a country we love very much, we have many friends here."

"I have been here many times, even came here for our honeymoon. This time it's a state visit. Hope to improve existing good contacts:," said King Philippe.

This is King Philippe's first state visit to India after his ascension to the throne in 2013. He is accompanied by a business delegation of nearly 90 people comprising CEOs of Belgian companies.

The Royal couple is on a seven-day visit to India with an aim of boosting overall cooperation between India and Belgium, with a focus on further ramping up trade and investment ties.

The royal couple was received at the airport by Union Urban Development Minister and former diplomat Hardeep Singh Puri, according to an official of the Belgian Embassy. India is Belgium's second largest export destination and the third largest trading partner outside the European Union.

According to official data, in 2016-17, bilateral trade amounted to USD 13.28 billion of which exports from India to Belgium accounted for USD 5.65 billion while imports from Belgium accounted for USD 6.62 billion.

Belgian Royal couple

Belgian Royal couple

Belgian Royal couple King Philippe and Queen Mathilde during a ceremonial reception at Forecourt in Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday.PTI Photo

Bust of Mahatma Gandhi

Bust of Mahatma Gandhi

Belgian Royal couple King Philippe with Queen Mathilde being presented with a bust of Mahatma Gandhi after they paid homage at Rajghat in New Delhi on Tuesday. PTI Photo

Floral tributes to Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi

Floral tributes to Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi

Belgian Royal couple King Philippe with Queen Mathilde pays floral tributes at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat in New Delhi on Tuesday. PTI Photo

 Guard of honour

Guard of honour

Belgian King Philippe inspects a guard of honour during a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday. PTI Photo

(With agency inputs)

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X