India, Netherlands Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership During PM Modi’s Visit to The Hague

The Hague, May 2026 : India and the Netherlands on Saturday elevated their bilateral relationship to the level of a Strategic Partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten held wide-ranging talks in The Hague aimed at deepening cooperation across trade, technology, innovation, education, and people-to-people ties.

The two leaders adopted the “Roadmap of India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership 2026-2030,” outlining a five-year framework for focused and time-bound initiatives to strengthen collaboration in key sectors.

The decision marks a significant step forward in relations between the two countries, reflecting growing economic engagement, strategic convergence, and expanding cultural connections between India and the Netherlands.

A major highlight of Prime Minister Modi’s visit was the emphasis placed on the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands, particularly the Surinami-Hindustani community, which has deep historical and cultural ties with India. The Netherlands is home to the largest population of Indian-origin people in mainland Europe, including nearly 200,000 members of the Surinami-Hindustani community.

Prime Minister Modi announced a major relaxation in Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card eligibility norms for the Surinami-Hindustani diaspora, extending eligibility from the fourth generation to the sixth generation. The move was welcomed enthusiastically by the Indian-origin community in the Netherlands.

In a message posted on social media platform X, the Prime Minister described the Indian diaspora as a “living bridge” between the two nations.

“The Indian diaspora is a living bridge of the India-Netherlands partnership. Our decision to extend OCI Card eligibility for the Surinamese Hindustani community from the fourth generation to the sixth generation has been enthusiastically received by the diaspora in the Netherlands,” PM Modi said.

Before holding official talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, PM Modi attended a grand reception organised by the Indian community in The Hague, where he received a warm and vibrant welcome from members of the diaspora and friends of India.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister praised the Indian-origin community for its contribution to Dutch society and for preserving India’s cultural heritage abroad. He particularly acknowledged the Surinami-Hindustani community for maintaining strong cultural traditions across generations despite being geographically distant from India.

Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the role played by Indian professionals and students in strengthening ties between the two countries. He noted that Indian experts working in technology sectors and students pursuing higher education in Dutch universities, especially in innovation-driven fields, were helping shape a modern and future-oriented partnership.

The Prime Minister underlined that sports connections, especially through cricket and hockey, have also added fresh energy to the people-to-people relationship between India and the Netherlands.

During the bilateral discussions, both leaders agreed that technology and innovation would remain central pillars of the strategic partnership. They stressed the importance of collaboration in areas such as clean energy, digital transformation, sustainable development, advanced manufacturing, and research.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted the robust trade and economic relationship between the two countries, pointing out that the Netherlands is among India’s largest export destinations in Europe and also one of its leading investment partners.

The Prime Minister said the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement would further open up new opportunities for businesses and investors on both sides and deepen economic cooperation between India and Europe.

Speaking about India’s rapid transformation, PM Modi outlined the country’s ambitious vision of becoming a developed nation, or “Viksit Bharat,” by 2047. He referred to the significant progress India has made in infrastructure development, manufacturing, renewable energy, digital systems, and economic reforms.

He said India was confidently shaping its future while also contributing positively to global growth and prosperity. The Prime Minister noted that India’s development journey offered vast opportunities for global collaboration, including with the Netherlands.

PM Modi also reassured the Indian diaspora that the government remained committed to the welfare and interests of Indians living abroad. He urged members of the community to actively participate in India’s growth journey and contribute their knowledge, skills, and international experience toward the vision of Viksit Bharat.

The elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership is expected to further strengthen cooperation between India and the Netherlands across multiple sectors while reinforcing the longstanding cultural and historical bonds shared by the two nations.

Team Maverick.