Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on Sunday held wide-ranging official talks in The Hague and agreed to elevate India-Netherlands relations to the level of a “Strategic Partnership.”
The talks took place at Catshuis, the official residence of the Dutch Prime Minister, and focused on expanding cooperation across trade, investment, defence, emerging technologies, renewable energy, education and maritime sectors.
According to an official statement, the two leaders also adopted an ambitious Roadmap for Strategic Partnership aimed at strengthening collaboration in critical and future-oriented sectors.
The leaders noted that the growing convergence between India and the Netherlands is rooted in shared democratic values, mutual trust and expanding cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Jetten discussed opportunities arising from India’s economic growth and emphasised the increasing role of Dutch businesses and investments in India’s development journey.
Both sides expressed satisfaction over the steady progress in bilateral ties driven by regular high-level engagements.
Highlighting the importance of cooperation in Water, Agriculture and Health (WAH), the two leaders agreed to intensify the Strategic Partnership on Water through collaboration on large-scale water management projects.
They also welcomed growing cooperation in healthcare research, digital health, agriculture and food safety.
During the discussions, both Prime Ministers underlined the importance of strengthening trade and investment ties and called for the early signing and implementation of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement.
The leaders also noted that cooperation in critical minerals would help build resilient supply chains.
Prime Minister Modi and his Dutch counterpart stressed the need for greater collaboration in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. They also encouraged organising hackathons involving youth from both countries.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to renewable energy cooperation, including in green hydrogen, biofuels, green shipping and maritime logistics.
They also welcomed new initiatives aimed at strengthening mobility partnerships and higher education cooperation.
In this regard, the leaders took note of an agreement signed between Nalanda University and University of Groningen.
Prime Minister Modi thanked the Dutch government for facilitating the return of the 11th-century Chola copper plates to India.
The leaders also welcomed collaboration between Leiden University Library and Archaeological Survey of India for advancing research and knowledge related to the historic artefacts.
Following the talks, the two countries signed 14 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding covering technology, green energy, trade, mobility, education, culture and WAH sectors.
Prime Minister Modi also invited Prime Minister Jetten to visit India, an invitation that was accepted by the Dutch leader.
