India, Netherlands Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership, Adopt Ambitious Roadmap for Future Cooperation

The Hague, May 2026: India and the Netherlands have elevated their bilateral relationship to a “Strategic Partnership” after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten held extensive delegation-level talks in The Hague, focusing on expanding cooperation across trade, defence, semiconductors, green energy, technology, water management, and cultural exchange.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday that the two leaders adopted an ambitious roadmap aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation and unlocking new opportunities for long-term strategic engagement between the two nations.

Addressing reporters after the talks, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George said the decision reflected the growing trust, shared democratic values, and increasing convergence between India and the Netherlands on global and regional issues.

“Prime Minister Modi shared India’s reforms that have taken place over the last decade and the transformational changes that have happened in recent years as India moves towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047,” Sibi George said.

He added that both sides expressed satisfaction over the steady growth in bilateral ties and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in critical sectors.

One of the major areas of discussion was water management, where India and the Netherlands already share a strategic partnership. The Dutch are globally recognised for their expertise in flood control and water engineering.

Sibi George noted that India’s ambitious Kalpasar project shares similarities with the famous dike systems in the northern Netherlands. Both Prime Ministers are expected to jointly visit the project site to explore further collaboration and exchange of technical expertise.

The two sides also discussed enhancing defence cooperation and defence industrial collaboration. The talks built upon the Letter of Intent on defence cooperation signed between the two countries last year.

The Netherlands’ participation in India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) was also highlighted as an important step in strengthening regional maritime partnerships and promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Trade and investment emerged as another major pillar of the discussions. Both leaders agreed that stronger economic cooperation would generate business opportunities, support innovation, and create employment in both countries.

A significant highlight of the visit was the signing of a landmark partnership agreement between Tata Electronics and Dutch semiconductor giant ASML. MEA Secretary Sibi George described the agreement as a “game-changing” development for India’s semiconductor ambitions.

He said the agreement would provide critical technological support for India’s semiconductor ecosystem and create a large number of high-skilled jobs, especially through the semiconductor facility being developed in Dholera, Gujarat.

The discussions also covered several emerging sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics, fintech, critical minerals, green hydrogen, maritime logistics, and renewable energy.

“India is placing major emphasis on green hydrogen, and the Netherlands is also focusing strongly on this sector. There is tremendous scope for collaboration,” Sibi George noted.

The two countries also discussed strengthening agricultural supply chains and improving maritime connectivity by linking Indian ports more closely with Dutch ports, which are among Europe’s most important logistics hubs.

Another important theme during the talks was talent mobility and skills partnership. Indian talent, especially in technology and innovation sectors, was recognised as a major strength in deepening bilateral engagement.

Sibi George said discussions focused on “innovate in India, for India and for the world,” while emphasising cooperation in research, startups, co-creation, value chains, and global mobility.

Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Jetten later addressed a high-level CEO roundtable attended by 16 leading Dutch industry heads from sectors such as semiconductors, maritime services, healthcare, logistics, renewable energy, and advanced technology.

The business leaders discussed opportunities for long-term investment in India and expressed strong interest in participating in India’s rapidly expanding manufacturing and technology sectors.

Cultural cooperation also featured prominently during the visit. In a significant gesture, the Netherlands agreed to return two sets of historic copper plates bearing royal charters of Chola emperors Rajendra Chola I and Kulothunga Chola I to India.

The return of these cultural treasures was described by the MEA as being in line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi” — development alongside preservation of heritage.

Prime Minister Modi later described the outcomes of the visit as “substantive and important,” saying they would add fresh momentum to India-Netherlands relations.

“These outcomes cover many sectors and will enhance growth and prosperity for our nations,” the Prime Minister posted on social media platform X.

In another post, PM Modi highlighted the growing importance of economic ties between India and the Netherlands.

“Economic cooperation is a key pillar of the friendship between India and the Netherlands. The free trade agreement between India and the EU offers endless opportunities. There is enormous scope for collaboration in fintech, critical minerals, semiconductors, green hydrogen, and AI,” he said.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of cultural and educational cooperation between the two countries.

Expressing gratitude to Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, PM Modi said the partnership between India and the Netherlands had achieved remarkable progress over the past decade and was now entering a new phase of expansion.

“Over the last ten years, the partnership between India and the Netherlands has made incredible progress. And now it is time to contribute even more to that, so that the people of both our countries can benefit from it,” PM Modi stated.

The elevation of ties to a Strategic Partnership is expected to significantly deepen cooperation between the two countries across strategic, economic, technological, and cultural domains in the years ahead.

Team Maverick.