PM Modi held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Netherlands, both countries issued a joint statement, many MoUs were signed

The Hague, May 17. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Friday on the invitation of Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetton. Met with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima on Saturday. With this, PM Modi concluded his two-day official tour. This was Prime Minister Modi’s second visit to Netherlands. On the morning of May 16, Prime Minister Modi and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands held a bilateral meeting at the Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague. The King and Queen also hosted a lunch for PM Modi.

Prime Minister Jeton and PM Modi held limited and delegation level talks during the meeting, which was followed by dinner on the evening of 16 May. The two Prime Ministers recalled the long-standing and historic trade engagement, deep people-to-people ties and strong bilateral ties between the two countries and expressed their desire to further enhance and deepen these multifaceted relations. In this context, the two leaders expressed happiness at the progress made through regular dialogue under various cooperation programs in recent years.

This also includes the high political level talks, India’s G20 presidency in 2023 and the fruitful cooperation during the AI ​​Impact Summit held in New Delhi in February 2026. Recognizing the strong momentum and growing rapprochement in relations between the two countries, the two leaders decided to elevate relations between India and the Netherlands to a ‘Strategic Partnership’.

In this context, they welcomed the adoption of a Strategic Partnership Roadmap, under which the two sides will cooperate in all areas including political, trade and investment, defense and security cooperation, cyber security, semiconductors, space, critical and emerging technologies such as AI and quantum systems, science and innovation, sustainability, health, sustainable agriculture and food systems, water management, climate change and energy transition, sustainable transport, maritime development, education, culture and people-to-people ties. Agreed to work continuously and through structured cooperation in the region.

Both sides also agreed to explore possibilities of cooperation in the field of policy planning. The two leaders emphasized a shared vision for the future and reiterated their commitment to shared values ​​and principles, including democracy, human rights, international peace and security, and the rules-based international order consistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. The two Governments also stressed their commitment to strengthening and reforming the multilateral system, including expanding both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council to reflect today’s global realities, and called for text-based negotiations in a defined timeframe.

Prime Minister Modi thanked his Dutch counterpart Jeten for his consistent support for India’s permanent membership of the reformed and enlarged UNSC. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to further deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership and welcomed the completion of negotiations on a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement in January this year. The two leaders also welcomed the joint signing of the Security and Defense Partnership, which will strengthen EU and India dialogue and cooperation on security and defense and deliver concrete results in areas such as maritime security, cyber, counter-terrorism and defense industrial cooperation.

Recalling the EU strategy on the Indo-Pacific, PM Jetten announced the Netherlands’ decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and co-lead the Capacity Building and Resource Sharing Pillar with Germany and the EU. In the field of defense and security cooperation, they welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent and stressed the importance of deepening defense cooperation between the two countries. MoUs were signed between the two countries on partnership on semiconductor and related emerging technologies.

In the field of migration and mobility, a Memorandum of Understanding on Mobility and Migration was signed between the Government of India and the Government of the Netherlands. Additionally, MoU between Tata Electronics and ASML to support Semiconductor Fab at Dholera on semiconductors, MoU between Ministry of Mines of Republic of India and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands on cooperation in the field of Critical Minerals and Joint Letter of Intent signed between Ministry of Jal Shakti of Republic of India and Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of Netherlands for technical cooperation in respect of Kalpsar Project, Gujarat in water sector. Gone.

India-Netherlands Roadmap on Development of Green Hydrogen Cooperation in the Sector of Renewable Energy, establishment of a Joint Working Group under the renewed MoU on Cooperation in the Sector of Renewable Energy and Joint Letter of Intent signed between NITI Aayog and the Netherlands for cooperation on projects in the energy sector and energy transition.

In the agriculture/animal husbandry sector, establishment of Indo-Dutch Center of Excellence for Flowers in West Tripura, establishment of Indo-Dutch Center of Excellence for Training in Dairy at Center of Excellence for Animal Husbandry (CEAH) in Bengaluru and a Joint Declaration on Cooperation in Animal Husbandry and Dairying between the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Safety and Nature of the Netherlands was made.

In the health sector, a joint letter of intent was signed between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) for cooperation in health. Agreement signed between the Government of India and the Government of the Netherlands for mutual administrative assistance in customs matters.

An MoU was also signed between the two countries on cooperation in the field of higher education. Apart from this, MoU on academic cooperation between Nalanda University, India and University of Groningen, Netherlands in the education sector and MoU between Leiden University Libraries and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) were also signed.