<p align="justify" class="title">Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgiums King Philippe today held talks to strengthen bilateral ties.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">Ahead of the meeting with Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on the visiting dignitary, who arrived here on Sunday on a week-long trip, his first state visit to India following his ascension to the throne in 2013.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">Modi and the Belgian king, who is accompanied by six ministers and a high powered business delegation comprising CEOs of 86 Belgian companies, held talks in Hyderabad House.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">India is Belgiums second largest export destination and third largest trade partner outside EU, according to official data.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">In 2016-17, bilateral trade amounted to USD 13.28 billion. While exports from India to Belgium accounted for USD 5.65 billion, imports from Belgium accounted for USD 6.62 billion.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">"Swaraj call on His Majesty The King Philippe of Belgium. Engaging conversation on expanding warm and friendly bilateral relations," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">The visit will further strengthen the historical strong ties between the two countries, the ministry had said ahead of the visit.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">Philippe and his wife, Queen Mathilde, were accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan. </p>
<p align="justify" class="title">Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgiums King Philippe today held talks to strengthen bilateral ties.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">Ahead of the meeting with Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on the visiting dignitary, who arrived here on Sunday on a week-long trip, his first state visit to India following his ascension to the throne in 2013.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">Modi and the Belgian king, who is accompanied by six ministers and a high powered business delegation comprising CEOs of 86 Belgian companies, held talks in Hyderabad House.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">India is Belgiums second largest export destination and third largest trade partner outside EU, according to official data.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">In 2016-17, bilateral trade amounted to USD 13.28 billion. While exports from India to Belgium accounted for USD 5.65 billion, imports from Belgium accounted for USD 6.62 billion.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">"Swaraj call on His Majesty The King Philippe of Belgium. Engaging conversation on expanding warm and friendly bilateral relations," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">The visit will further strengthen the historical strong ties between the two countries, the ministry had said ahead of the visit.</p>.<p align="justify" class="bodytext">Philippe and his wife, Queen Mathilde, were accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan. </p>