Belgium has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with India in the field of astronomy, recognizing it as a “priority sector” alongside trade, defence, and business.
This declaration was made during a high-profile visit by a 330-member Belgian delegation to India from March 1 to 8, led by Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium.
The delegation, which included diplomats, industrialists, academicians, and defence and trade officials, engaged in extensive discussions with their Indian counterparts to bolster partnerships across various domains.
Among the key topics was the expansion of scientific collaborations in astronomy, an area where Belgium and India have already forged strong ties.
For over a decade, India’s Department of Science and Technology and the Belgian Science Policy Office have jointly operated the Belgo-Indian Network for Astronomy and Astrophysics research project.
This initiative seeks to maximize the use of Belgium-made telescopes currently functioning in India, such as the 3.6-metre Devasthal Optical Telescope, the 4-metre International Liquid Mirror Telescope, and the 2.5-metre telescope at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Physical Research Laboratory’s Mt Abu Observatory.
During their meetings in New Delhi, Indian and Belgian officials discussed advancing cooperation on new projects, particularly the National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) and the National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope (NLOT).
Both telescopes, which will be based in Ladakh, are expected to significantly enhance India’s capabilities in optical and near-infrared astronomy.
The discussions also encompassed a wide range of topics, including Belgium’s role in the Indian space industry, advancements in optical instrumentation, and solutions for space debris management.
The Belgian delegation expressed particular interest in collaborating on India’s Aditya L1 mission, which aims to study the Sun, and on existing Indian observatories such as the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope, the Himalayan Chandra Telescope, and the Vinu Bapu Observatory.
“The meeting highlighted the Belgian contribution and efforts, and scientist and student exchanges over the past several years. The Belgians expressed interest in working on NLST. They are open to building instruments and doing science jointly with India,” said Dipankar Banerjee, solar physicist and director of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram.
The half-day discussion in New Delhi further emphasized the importance of fostering deeper scientific ties between the two countries.
Representatives from both nations agreed to facilitate increased interactions among their respective astronomy communities to explore further opportunities for joint research and technological development.
Belgium’s continued interest in India’s astronomy initiatives highlights the growing global recognition of India’s scientific capabilities.
By leveraging Belgian expertise in optical instruments and astrophysics, India aims to strengthen its infrastructure and research output in space and astronomy.
As both nations look toward an expanded partnership, the collaboration is expected to yield significant advancements in astronomical research and technology, benefiting not only India and Belgium but also the global scientific community.
The shared vision for space exploration and astronomy will likely foster new discoveries and innovations in the years to come.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
