India, Netherlands elevate ties to strategic partnership after Modi-Jetten talks

India and the Netherlands on Saturday elevated their bilateral relationship to the level of a strategic partnership following wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten in The Hague.

Addressing the media after the talks, Modi said the India-Netherlands friendship had gained “unparalleled momentum” and stressed that both countries were committed to taking cooperation to new heights in areas such as innovation, sustainability, investment and defence.

According to the joint statement released after the meeting, the two leaders adopted a roadmap for the India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership for 2026-2030. The roadmap focuses on collaboration in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, green hydrogen, clean energy, digital technologies, defence, maritime security, cyber security and resilient supply chains.

The discussions also highlighted growing economic ties between the two countries. The Netherlands is among India’s top trading partners in Europe and one of the largest foreign investors in India. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached nearly USD 27.8 billion in 2024-25, according to officials.

A major outcome of the visit was the signing of an agreement between Tata Electronics and ASML to support the semiconductor fabrication facility in Dholera, Gujarat. Officials described it as ASML’s first such partnership with India and a significant step towards strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

Modi also met King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima during the visit. The leaders discussed ways to deepen cooperation in water management, agriculture, healthcare, education and emerging technologies.

The visit also saw cultural cooperation gain attention after the Netherlands formally returned the 11th-century “Chola Plates” to India. Modi described the return of the artefacts as a “joyous moment for every Indian.”

Modi’s visit to the Netherlands is part of his multi-nation Europe tour aimed at expanding India’s strategic and economic engagement with European countries amid changing global geopolitical dynamics.