India, Netherlands elevate ties to Strategic Partnership; unveil wide-ranging roadmap after Hague summit

By Aroonim Bhuyan

New Delhi/The Hague, May 17. India and the Netherlands on May 16 upgraded their relationship to a Strategic Partnership and adopted an expansive roadmap covering defence, semiconductors, water, green hydrogen, maritime cooperation, higher education, and counter-terrorism, following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten.

Modi, on his second visit to the Netherlands, was received by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at the Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch before holding restricted and delegation-level discussions with Jetten later in the day.

According to a joint statement issued following the summit-level meeting, the two leaders cited deep historical trade links and strong people-to-people ties as the foundation for expanding cooperation across political, economic, technological and security domains. They noted the growing convergence between the two countries, including cooperation during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 and the AI Impact Summit hosted by New Delhi in February this year.

Strategic Partnership roadmap across sectors

Under the newly adopted roadmap, India and the Netherlands agreed to institutionalise cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, cyber and emerging technologies, space, AI, quantum systems, sustainability, health, agriculture, water management, maritime development, education, culture and mobility.

They welcomed a series of agreements concluded in December 2025 in priority areas such as defence, semiconductors, digital cooperation, pharmaceuticals, customs facilitation and maritime museum partnerships between Lothal and Amsterdam.

Support for rules-based order, UNSC reform

Both leaders reaffirmed commitment to democracy, human rights and a rules-based international order. Jetten reiterated Dutch support for India’s bid for permanent membership of a reformed UN Security Council and backed text-based negotiations within a fixed timeframe.

They also welcomed the conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement earlier this year and the parallel signing of an India-EU Security and Defence Partnership, describing them as significant steps amid global geopolitical uncertainty.

Indo-Pacific, Ukraine, West Asia

The Netherlands announced it would join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and co-lead the Capacity Building and Resource Sharing pillar alongside Germany and the EU.

On global issues, both sides expressed concern over the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian situation in West Asia, welcomed the April 8 ceasefire, and stressed freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trade, investment and logistics gateway

The leaders described the Netherlands as a key European gateway for Indian exporters via the Port of Rotterdam, while highlighting India’s large market and skilled talent pool for Dutch firms. They signed a customs cooperation agreement and agreed to strengthen the Joint Trade and Investment Committee and fast-track mechanisms to boost investment flows and resilient supply chains.

Startup collaboration, digital soft-landing programmes and innovation missions will be expanded to connect ecosystems in both countries.

Defence, cyber and counter-terrorism

A letter of intent on defence cooperation was signed, with plans to move towards a defence industrial roadmap focusing on co-development, technology transfer and joint production.

The Netherlands strongly condemned the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam and expressed solidarity with India against cross-border terrorism. Both sides called for zero tolerance, action through UN and FATF mechanisms, and support for India’s push for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

They also agreed to step up cyber cooperation, including capacity building, cybercrime prevention and coordination in multilateral forums.

Semiconductors, critical minerals and higher education

A major focus of the summit was semiconductors and emerging technologies. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on semiconductor cooperation and agreed to connect the Dutch Semicon Competence Centre with the Indian Semiconductor Mission.

Dutch universities – Eindhoven University of Technology and University of Twente – will partner with leading Indian institutes including Indian Institute of Science and multiple IITs for joint R&D and talent development with industry participation.

An MoU on critical minerals and another on higher education cooperation were also signed.

Green hydrogen, circular economy and energy transition

The leaders launched an India-Netherlands Green Hydrogen Roadmap to accelerate production, use and export of green hydrogen. They also expanded cooperation on waste-to-value, circular economy, biofuels and renewable energy through a joint working group.

Water, climate resilience and Kalpasar

Building on the long-standing water partnership, the Netherlands will assist India in river management, urban water resilience, sanitation and delta management. A Centre of Excellence on Water will be established at IIT Delhi. Dutch expertise will also support Gujarat’s Kalpasar project and training programmes under the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

Maritime ‘Green and Digital Sea Corridor’

The two sides agreed to develop a strategic roadmap for a Green and Digital Sea Corridor linking Indian and Dutch ports, focusing on smart ports, inland waterways, supply chain optimisation and maritime cyber resilience.

Health, agriculture and food systems

Renewed cooperation in public health will focus on infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, digital health and pharmaceuticals. In agriculture, Dutch expertise will support centres of excellence in protected cultivation, dairy, horticulture and clean plant programmes to enhance productivity and sustainability.

Culture, mobility and heritage

An MoU on migration and mobility was signed to facilitate fair movement of skilled professionals and students while addressing irregular migration.

Both sides agreed to deepen cultural cooperation, including museum partnerships. The return of Chola-era copper plates from Leiden to India was welcomed, along with collaboration between maritime museums in Amsterdam and Lothal.

Prime Minister Modi thanked Jetten for the warm hospitality and invited him to visit India.