Chips, defence, clean energy: India, Netherlands upgrade ties to strategic level

Narendra Modi and Rob Jetten agreed in The Hague to elevate India-Netherlands ties to a strategic partnership. The move was paired with a push for wider cooperation in semiconductors, green hydrogen, investment and defence.

In Short

• Leaders reviewed cooperation in trade, defence, technology, water, health and education
• At the CEO roundtable, Modi sought Dutch investment across priority sectors
• He pitched India as reform-driven, stable and the fastest-growing major economy

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

The decision came during Modi’s two-day visit to the Netherlands as part of his broader multi-nation Europe tour focused on expanding India’s strategic, economic and technological engagement with key European partners.

During the talks, the two leaders reviewed cooperation across sectors including trade, defence, technology, water management, clean energy, healthcare and education. Several agreements were also signed to deepen collaboration in priority areas.

Addressing the meeting, PM Modi said India-Netherlands ties had witnessed “significant progress” over the last decade and described the Netherlands as one of India’s key European partners.

He said the relationship between the two countries was rooted in shared democratic values, strong economic cooperation and deep people-to-people connections.

“Democratic values, market economy and responsible behavior are part of our common approach,” Modi said, while highlighting cooperation in sectors such as water management, healthcare and education.

Calling for greater collaboration in emerging sectors, Modi said India and the Netherlands should combine Dutch expertise with India’s “speed and skill” to expand cooperation in innovation, sustainability, investment and defence.

“We need to take our cooperation in areas of innovation, investment, sustainability and defence to new heights,” he said while announcing the elevation of ties to a strategic partnership.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten also stressed the growing importance of relations with India and backed stronger cooperation in economic and strategic sectors.

Ahead of the bilateral meeting, Modi and Jetten jointly attended a CEO Roundtable in The Hague involving leading Dutch companies from sectors including energy, ports, agriculture, healthcare and technology.

At the interaction, Modi invited Dutch firms to expand investments in India, particularly in renewable energy, semiconductors, maritime infrastructure, digital technology, artificial intelligence and healthcare.

The Prime Minister highlighted India’s rapid economic growth and reform-driven business environment, saying the country had introduced major changes in taxation, labour regulations and governance to improve ease of doing business.

“Today’s India is a symbol of scale and stability,” Modi said, adding that India had emerged as the world’s fastest-growing major economy with one of the largest talent pools globally.

PM MODI INVITES DUTCH FIRMS TO DESIGN, INNOVATE AND MANUFACTURE IN INDIA

PM Modi urged Dutch companies to expand their presence in India, saying the country offers unmatched opportunities in manufacturing, technology and innovation.

Addressing the India-Netherlands CEO Roundtable in The Hague alongside the Dutch Prime Minister, Modi said India had emerged as a symbol of “scale and stability” and invited global firms to become part of the country’s growth story.

“We invite all of you to design and innovate in India. There can be no better time for this than today,” Modi told business leaders.

Highlighting India’s rapid economic transformation, the Prime Minister said continuous reforms had strengthened ease of doing business and opened sectors such as space, mining and nuclear energy to private investment.

“We are continuously reducing compliance burdens and enhancing the Ease of Doing Business. Recently, we implemented next-generation reforms in taxation, labour codes and governance,” he said.

Modi said manufacturing in India had become highly cost-effective, while the services sector was now driving global efficiency and innovation through India’s skilled talent pool.

During the visit, Modi and Jetten also witnessed the signing of an agreement between Tata Electronics and ASML to support India’s first front-end semiconductor fabrication plant in Dholera, Gujarat.

The two leaders also backed early implementation of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement and announced plans to elevate India-Netherlands ties into a strategic partnership focused on green hydrogen, semiconductors, technology and advanced manufacturing.

“Today’s India is a symbol of scale and stability,” Modi said, adding that no country could match India’s pace in infrastructure, clean energy and connectivity.

- Ends