Ink 17 pacts on defence, other sectors
The Hague: Driven by shifting global geopolitics, India and the Netherlands elevated their ties to a strategic partnership and inked 17 agreements to boost cooperation in defence, critical minerals and other key sectors during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten.
In their meeting on Saturday evening, the two prime ministers expressed deep concern over the situation in West Asia, especially its serious implications for the region and beyond in view of disruptions caused to the global energy supplies and trade networks.
Modi and Jetten also called for freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, while opposing any “restrictive” measures, and reaffirmed their support for ongoing initiatives in this regard, according to a joint statement.
Roughly one-fifth of global energy supplies pass through this narrow waterway, where shipping has been severely disrupted since February 28, after the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes.
The two leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine – marked by the ongoing conflict with Russia and regional security developments.
They agreed to continue supporting efforts towards the achievement of comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, the joint statement said.
On the subject of Ukraine, the two sides also expressed concern over the ongoing war, which continues to “cause immense human suffering and carries global consequences”, it said.
As he left for Sweden on Sunday, Modi said in a social media post: “My Netherlands visit has added new momentum to India-Netherlands ties.”
“From elevating our relationship to a strategic partnership to expanding cooperation in water resources, semiconductors, innovation, defence, sustainability and mobility, we have charted an ambitious roadmap for the future,” the Prime Minister said.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a separate social media post: “The visit witnessed several substantive outcomes, including the launch of a new roadmap for strategic partnership, which will further deepen India-Netherlands ties and expand avenues for cooperation across key sectors.”
Following the Modi-Jetten talks in The Hague on Saturday, India and the Netherlands unveiled a “strategic partnership roadmap” to boost ties in trade and investment, defence and security, critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductors, space, AI and quantum computing. The two leaders also launched an ambitious “India-Netherlands roadmap on the development of green hydrogen”.
Modi and Jetten agreed to explore possibilities of establishing a defence industrial roadmap to ensure joint manufacturing of defence equipment, systems, components and other key capabilities through transfer of technology and setting up of joint ventures.
The Netherlands is one of India’s largest trading destinations in Europe, with bilateral trade touching $27.8 billion in 2024-25. The European nation is India’s fourth largest investor with cumulative foreign direct investment of $55.6 billion.
The Netherlands, with its world class logistics network, also serves as a strategic gateway to Europe for Indian exporters, mainly through the Port of Rotterdam.
