Prime Minister Narendra Modi Meets Indian Diamond Traders From Antwerp,Belgium Wednesday March 30,2016

While stating that diamonds remain India's historic link with Belgium, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday March 30,2016 invited the key European nation's business leaders to invest in India's IT and infrastructure sectors.

"Diamonds are, of course, an old link between us. It provides employment to many in India," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a tweet quoting the Prime Minister.

Almost 84 per cent of the world's rough diamonds pass through Antwerp and the Belgian city is today the world's largest diamond trading centre with a turnover of over $54 billion.

Indian traders own a large part of this diamond trade in Antwerp.

Recalling India's historic links with Belgium, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "We have ties of blood with Belgium. 100 years ago 130,000 soldiers from India fought in Belgium and 9,000 made the supreme sacrifice".