The Hague, May 17 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi held official talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten at the Catshuis, Jetten’s official residence in The Hague, and the two leaders agreed to elevate India–Netherlands ties to a Strategic Partnership, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. They adopted a Roadmap for Strategic Partnership to deepen cooperation across trade and investment, defence and security, emerging and critical technologies, the maritime sector, renewable energy and education.
The leaders said expanding business, investment, technology and innovation links create promising opportunities for Dutch companies in India’s growth story. They underlined progress from sustained high-level exchanges and called for early signing and implementation of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement to further boost trade and investment.
Both prime ministers highlighted cooperation in WAH — Water, Agriculture and Health — and committed to intensify a Strategic Partnership on Water through collaboration on large-scale projects. The MEA statement added that the two countries welcomed growing ties in healthcare research, digital health, agriculture and food safety.
They also affirmed cooperation on critical minerals to support resilient supply chains and urged closer collaboration on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. The leaders encouraged youth engagement through joint hackathons and noted new mobility and higher-education initiatives, including the agreement between Nalanda University and Groningen University.
On climate and energy, Modi and Jetten pledged to strengthen ties in green hydrogen, biofuels, green shipping and maritime logistics. Following the talks, 14 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed in areas including technology, green energy, trade, mobility, WAH, education and culture. A joint statement and the Roadmap on Strategic Partnership were also adopted.
Modi thanked the Netherlands for facilitating the return of 11th-century Chola plates and welcomed collaboration between Leiden University Library and the Archaeological Survey of India to study the artefacts. Modi invited Jetten to visit India, an invitation the Dutch prime minister accepted. (Photo: Narendra Modi’s X account)
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/pm-modi-holds-official-bilateral-talks-with-netherlands-counterpart-rob-jetten
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Publish Date: 2026-05-17 10:46:00
