Belgium, Brussels: Today, highlighting that the scourge of terrorism is increasing across the globe, visiting Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi said that it was important for all nations to fight this menace, and added that India has been battling terrorism for 40 years. Modi began addressing the luncheon meeting by first paying tribute to the 32 victims killed in a suicide bomb blast in the Belgian capital last Tuesday.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and other officials were also present in the meeting. In a tweet, Ministry of External affairs spokesperson, Vikas Swarup, quoted the Prime Minister.He said that India was developing its port sector in a big way and asserted that the nation’s inland waterways offered opportunities for Belgian businesses. Emphasising that diamonds were an old link between the two countries, he said that it provides employment to many back home and is another sector of promise.

Highlighting his productive discussions with his Belgian counterpart, PM Modi said that from science and technology to trade, more can be done between the two nations. He also highlighted the ties of blood with Belgium, he said that 130,000 soldiers from India fought in Belgium, 100 years ago and 9000 had made the supreme sacrifice. Ending his speech, Prime Minister invited everyone to explore opportunities in India pressing that it is was the fastest growing economy in the world. Belgian Prime Minister had earlier said that the India and Belgium relationship was full of potential.