Belgium has a new prime minister whose political purpose was long to break up the nation, gut the state structures and give ever more autonomy to his northern Flanders at the cost of everyone else.

Dutch-speaking conservative has vowed to crack down on immigration; pulls together five parties to form majority coalition after seven months of negotiations

Bart De Wever was sworn in by King Philippe after a coalition agreement was found Friday, following seven months of negotiations. He is the first Flemish nationalist to lead Belgium's government.

VA party succeeds Alexander De Croo, who has remained in office as a caretaker since the June elections last year. De Wever will join his fellow European Union leaders at a summit in Brussels later Monday.

Bart de Wever made his name as a separatist champion in Belgium's Dutch-speaking north -- and was long accused on the French side of seeking to blow up the country altogether. Underpinning it is the notion -- shared by many on the Flemish side -- of a poorer French-speaking south hooked on public spending and intent on profiting from the hard-earned wealth of the north.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Prime Minister Bart De Wever on assuming office. He also expressed his eagerness to work closely with De Wever to strengthen the relationship between India and Belgium,