Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten held extensive talks in The Hague, discussing bilateral cooperation, regional security issues and the impact of the Strait of Hormuz closure amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
During the discussions, the two leaders agreed to elevate India-Netherlands relations to the level of a “Strategic Partnership” and adopted a roadmap to deepen cooperation across trade, defence, emerging technologies, renewable energy and education.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Jetten said both leaders discussed the impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has led to rising energy prices globally.
“My discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi included the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has resulted in high energy prices. As in the Netherlands, the impact on India has been severe too. So it’s vital that this conflict be brought to an end and that a lasting solution be found,” Jetten said.
He added that the Netherlands values its partnership with India at a time of global uncertainty.
“Both India and the Netherlands attach great importance to democracy, good governance and a world order based on rules and justice,” the Dutch Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Modi said his discussions with Jetten covered a broad range of strategic and economic issues, including defence and security cooperation.
“One of the topics was defence and security. I spoke about the possibility of drawing up an action plan for the defence industry as quickly as possible. We can also collaborate in sectors such as space travel, maritime systems and maritime security,” PM Modi said in a social media post.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of economic cooperation between India and the Netherlands, noting that the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement would create major opportunities for both countries.
“There is enormous scope for collaboration in fintech, critical minerals, semiconductors, green hydrogen and AI,” PM Modi said.
The talks also focused on strengthening cooperation in renewable energy, maritime logistics, healthcare, water management, agriculture and higher education.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders agreed to intensify cooperation in Water, Agriculture and Health (WAH) sectors and welcomed growing collaboration in digital health, food safety and healthcare research.
The leaders also called for greater collaboration in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors, and encouraged organising youth hackathons between the two countries.
During the visit, India and the Netherlands signed multiple agreements and Memoranda of Understanding in sectors such as technology, trade, mobility, education, culture and renewable energy.
Among the major outcomes was the MoU between Tata Electronics and ASML aimed at supporting semiconductor manufacturing in Dholera, Gujarat.
The two countries also adopted a Joint Statement and a Roadmap for Strategic Partnership during PM Modi’s visit.
Prime Minister Modi thanked the Dutch government for facilitating the return of 11th-century Chola copper plates to India and welcomed cooperation between Leiden University Library and the Archaeological Survey of India for research on the historic artefacts.
Prime Minister Modi also invited Prime Minister Jetten to visit India, which the Dutch leader accepted.
-IANS
