Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on Saturday announced the elevation of India-Netherlands ties to a “Strategic Partnership,” marking a major expansion of bilateral cooperation across defence, semiconductors, cyber security, clean energy, maritime development and trade amid shifting global geopolitical and economic dynamics.
The announcement came after restricted and delegation-level talks between the two leaders in the Netherlands, where both sides adopted an ambitious Strategic Partnership Roadmap aimed at institutionalising long-term collaboration in political, technological, economic and security sectors.
In a joint statement, the two Prime Ministers recalled the “longstanding and historical trade linkages, deep rooted people-to-people ties and robust bilateral relations” between the two countries and expressed their commitment to “further expanding and deepening this multifaceted relationship”.
The elevation of ties represents one of India’s most significant strategic upgrades with a European nation as New Delhi intensifies engagement with Europe in areas such as advanced technologies, resilient supply chains, defence manufacturing and sustainable development.
A major focus of the partnership will be cooperation in critical and emerging technologies. India and the Netherlands agreed to deepen collaboration in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum systems and cyber security while welcoming the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on semiconductors and related technologies aimed at boosting investment, research and talent exchange.
“The two sides also backed an academic and industrial partnership involving leading Indian institutions including IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras and IISc Bengaluru along with Dutch universities to create a semiconductor ‘brain bridge’ with participation from companies such as ASML, NXP Semiconductors, Tata Electronics and CG Semi.
Both countries further agreed to connect the Dutch Semicon Competence Centre with India’s Semiconductor Mission, reinforcing India’s efforts to emerge as a global semiconductor manufacturing and innovation hub.
On defence and security cooperation, the leaders welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation and agreed to intensify military ties through regular dialogues, staff-level exchanges, research partnerships and industrial collaboration.
The two nations also agreed to explore a Defence Industrial Roadmap that could pave the way for co-development, technology transfer and joint production of defence equipment and systems.
Prime Minister Jetten strongly condemned the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and reiterated the Netherlands’ “solidarity and unwavering support to India in its fight against terrorism, including cross-border terrorism.”
Both leaders called for a “zero tolerance approach to terrorism” and urged stronger international action against terror networks, financing and safe havens.
The strategic partnership also builds on rapidly expanding India-European Union ties. Modi and Jetten welcomed the conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement earlier this year, describing it as a key step towards strengthening economic ties between “the world’s second and fourth largest economies” amid growing global uncertainty.
The leaders said the agreement reflected a shared commitment to “economic openness and rules-based trade”.
The Netherlands, already among India’s largest trade and investment partners in Europe, was described as a vital gateway to European markets through its advanced logistics infrastructure and the Port of Rotterdam.
To facilitate smoother trade flows, both countries signed an Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters aimed at strengthening customs cooperation and supporting legitimate trade.
Climate action and energy transition emerged as another major pillar of cooperation. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the Netherlands joining the Global Biofuel Alliance launched during India’s G20 Presidency, while both sides jointly unveiled an India-Netherlands Roadmap on Green Hydrogen cooperation.
The roadmap is expected to support India to become a major global producer and exporter of green hydrogen while accelerating clean energy adoption in both countries.
The leaders also agreed to deepen collaboration in renewable energy, circular economy initiatives, battery technologies and smart mobility systems.
Recognising Dutch expertise in water management, the two countries pledged to expand cooperation in river management, wastewater treatment, delta planning and climate-resilient urban water systems under the existing Strategic Partnership on Water.
Both sides welcomed the establishment of a Centre of Excellence on Water at IIT Delhi and agreed to further strengthen cooperation on Gujarat’s Kalpasar Project.
Maritime cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, with both leaders backing the development of a “Green and Digital Sea Corridor” between India and the Netherlands to support sustainable shipping, smart ports and resilient supply chains.
The two countries also reaffirmed their support for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region based on international law, sovereignty and freedom of navigation. In a significant announcement, Prime Minister Jetten said the Netherlands would join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and co-lead the Capacity Building and Resource Sharing pillar alongside Germany and the European Union.
On global issues, both leaders expressed concern over the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia and stressed the importance of diplomacy, dialogue and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter.
The leaders also reiterated support for reforming the United Nations Security Council, including expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories. Modi thanked the Netherlands for backing India’s candidature for permanent membership in a reformed UNSC.
People-to-people ties and cultural exchanges also figured prominently during the talk. The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Migration and Mobility to facilitate fair movement of skilled professionals and strengthen cooperation against irregular migration and human trafficking.
The leaders also welcomed the return of Chola-era copper plates from Leiden University to India, describing it as an important milestone in cultural restitution and heritage cooperation.
Highlighting centuries-old maritime links between the two countries, India and the Netherlands also signed an agreement between the National Maritime Museum of Amsterdam and India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for cooperation on the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal in Gujarat.