India and the Netherlands have elevated their bilateral relationship to a “Strategic Partnership” during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to the European nation, adopting a comprehensive roadmap to deepen cooperation across trade, defence, emerging technologies, water management, clean energy and people-to-people ties.
Prime Minister Modi visited the Netherlands on May 16-17 at the invitation of Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. During the visit, the two leaders held delegation-level talks and reviewed the expanding scope of bilateral cooperation.
The leaders noted the strong momentum in India-Netherlands ties and welcomed the adoption of the Strategic Partnership Roadmap, which outlines structured cooperation across political dialogue, trade and investment, defence and security, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, science and innovation, renewable energy, maritime development, agriculture, health, education and culture.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to democratic values, a rules-based international order and reforms in multilateral institutions, including expansion of the UN Security Council. Prime Minister Modi also thanked the Netherlands for supporting India’s permanent membership in a reformed UNSC.
The two countries welcomed the conclusion of negotiations for the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement earlier this year and said the pact would strengthen economic ties between India and Europe amid global geopolitical and economic challenges.
On regional and global issues, India and the Netherlands expressed concern over the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia and stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for lasting peace. The two leaders also called for freedom of navigation and uninterrupted global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Jetten also announced that the Netherlands would join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and co-lead the Capacity Building and Resource Sharing pillar along with Germany and the European Union.
In the economic domain, the leaders highlighted the Netherlands’ role as a strategic gateway to Europe for Indian exporters through the Port of Rotterdam, while emphasising India’s growing importance as a market and investment destination for Dutch companies.
Both sides agreed to deepen collaboration in semiconductors, critical minerals, green hydrogen, digital technologies and startups. They welcomed the MoU on semiconductors and related emerging technologies, including cooperation between the Dutch Semicon Competence Centre and the Indian Semiconductor Mission.
The leaders also supported academic and industry partnerships involving Indian Institutes of Technology, Dutch universities, ASML, NXP Semiconductors and Tata Electronics for semiconductor research and talent development.
In the renewable energy sector, India and the Netherlands launched a roadmap on green hydrogen cooperation and agreed to strengthen partnerships in biofuels, circular economy, battery storage and green shipping.
The two countries also agreed to explore a “Green and Digital Sea Corridor” aimed at creating an environmentally sustainable and digitally integrated maritime trade route between India and the Netherlands.
On defence and security cooperation, the leaders welcomed agreements aimed at enhancing defence industry collaboration, maritime security, cyber cooperation and counterterrorism efforts. Both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and called for greater international cooperation against terrorist networks and financing.
Prime Minister Jetten condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and expressed solidarity with India in combating terrorism, including cross-border terrorism.
India and the Netherlands also agreed to deepen cooperation in water management, healthcare, agriculture and food systems. The leaders reviewed progress under the Strategic Partnership on Water and welcomed collaboration in projects related to river management, climate-resilient urban water systems and the Namami Gange programme.
In healthcare, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on infectious diseases, digital health, anti-microbial resistance and medical research through partnerships involving the Indian Council of Medical Research and Dutch public health institutions.
The leaders also welcomed growing collaboration in agriculture, dairy, horticulture and food processing, including the establishment of Indo-Dutch Centres of Excellence and cooperation in clean plant technologies.
Highlighting cultural ties, both Prime Ministers welcomed the return of Chola-era copper plates from Leiden University to India and supported deeper cooperation in museums, heritage conservation and cultural exchanges.
Prime Minister Modi thanked the Dutch government for the warm hospitality and invited Prime Minister Jetten to visit India.
