Indian Railways Thursday signed an agreement withBelgium to modernise and make some of the country's railway stations worldclass, said an official statement.
"Indian and Belgian railways will benefit with mutual consultation andexchange of information services on development and modernisation of railwaystations," Railway Minister Mukul Roy said after signing a Memorandum ofUnderstanding with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders, who is alsoBelgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs.
According to Roy, ties between the countries would strengthen with sharing ofdesign and current practices in railway infrastructure and deputation ofexperts in areas of mutual interest.
The countries have decided to form steering and working groups of experts todetermine and define scope and modalities of activities and projects, he said.
Roy said Belgian government-owned companies such as Euro Station and EuroImmostar have vast experience in developing stations.
"These companies have extensive expertise in transforming historicalrailway stations into the modern international terminals and the experiencegained by them can be emulated in India after suitable adaptation to Indianconditions," he said.
Reynders said Indian Railways was a focus sector of his country's economicdiplomacy.
According to him, several Belgium or Belgium-based companies were alreadypresent in India and their activities ranged from fastening and coating ofrails to delivery of parts for train construction and software for safety andnetwork management.
Indian Railway Board chairman Vinay Mittal and Belgium's Ambassador to IndiaPier Vaesen were present on the occasion.