India urges Belgium to curb tech transfers to Pakistan amid new defence deals

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reportedly warned Belgium’s defence minister that any transfer of sensitive technology to Pakistan would be unwelcome, Times of India reported. The admonition came as New Delhi and Brussels prepared to sign a suite of ten agreements covering rocket systems, avionics and other military hardware. Singh’s message underscores India’s growing anxiety over the potential for advanced European equipment to bolster Pakistan’s defence capabilities.

The upcoming pacts, announced jointly by the two governments, are expected to deepen collaboration on missile development, joint research, and the procurement of specialised components. While the exact list of projects remains confidential, officials say the agreements will enable Belgium to supply India with state‑of‑the‑art rocket propulsion units and related technology, strengthening New Delhi’s indigenous programmes.

India’s concern over technology leakage to Pakistan is not new. Over the past decade, Islamabad has sought to acquire dual‑use items from a variety of sources, prompting New Delhi to tighten export controls and lobby allies for stricter end‑use monitoring. The latest warning reflects a broader strategic calculus: as India modernises its armed forces, it aims to prevent regional rivals from narrowing the capability gap through foreign assistance.

Belgium, a NATO member with a modest but sophisticated defence industry, has previously supplied equipment to both South Asian neighbours. The country’s defence exports are subject to European Union regulations that require end‑user certificates, yet enforcement can be challenging when components are re‑exported or incorporated into larger systems. By raising the issue directly with its counterpart, India hopes to secure explicit assurances that Belgian firms will not route restricted technology to Pakistan.

Analysts note that the ten‑agreement package could mark a turning point in Indo‑European defence ties, offering India access to high‑precision rocket technologies that complement its own launch vehicle projects. At the same time, the diplomatic exchange highlights the delicate balance Belgium must strike between commercial interests and geopolitical responsibilities, especially as the EU seeks to maintain a unified stance on regional security in South Asia.

The outcome of the negotiations will likely influence future export‑control dialogues within the EU and could set a precedent for how partner nations address technology sharing with contested states. For India, securing firm guarantees from Belgium may become a template for similar engagements with other Western suppliers.