Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, visited the iconic Afsluitdijk in the Netherlands on Saturday, spotlighting the growing strategic partnership between the two countries in water management, climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure development.
The visit to the globally acclaimed Dutch engineering marvel marked one of the final engagements of Modi’s official trip to the Netherlands and underscored the shared resolve of India and the Netherlands to address climate and water challenges through innovation, technology and long-term sustainable planning.
The Afsluitdijk, a 32-kilometre-long dam and causeway that shields large parts of the Netherlands from flooding caused by the North Sea, is considered one of the world’s finest examples of hydraulic engineering and flood control infrastructure. Constructed in the early 20th century, the structure transformed a large saltwater inlet into a freshwater reservoir and continues to play a central role in Dutch water security, land reclamation and climate adaptation efforts.
During the visit, Modi and Jetten discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in advanced water management systems and explored avenues through which Dutch expertise could support India’s ambitious Kalpasar project in Gujarat. The mega project proposes the creation of a vast freshwater reservoir across the Gulf of Khambhat while integrating tidal energy generation, irrigation facilities and transportation infrastructure.
In a key outcome of the visit, the two countries welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent between India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management for technical cooperation on the Kalpasar project. Officials said the agreement would promote collaboration in hydraulic engineering, coastal protection, water storage and sustainable infrastructure planning.
The two leaders observed that the Netherlands’ internationally recognised capabilities in water engineering, combined with India’s scale and implementation capacity, offer immense potential for mutually beneficial partnerships in climate-resilient infrastructure and water sustainability projects.
The visit also reaffirmed the India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership on Water, which has steadily evolved into a major pillar of bilateral cooperation as both countries confront rising climate risks, urban flooding and water security concerns.
Prime Minister Modi later described his Netherlands visit as a major step forward in strengthening ties between the two nations across several strategic sectors. In a post on social media platform X, he said, “My Netherlands visit has added new momentum to India-Netherlands ties. From elevating our relationship to a Strategic Partnership to expanding cooperation in water resources, semiconductors, innovation, defense, sustainability and mobility, we have charted an ambitious roadmap for the future.”
Expressing appreciation for the hospitality extended during the visit, Modi added, “I express my gratitude to PM Rob Jetten for the warm hospitality and for personally coming to the airport to bid farewell. I am confident that the friendship between India and the Netherlands will continue to grow stronger in the years to come.”
The visit saw India and the Netherlands elevate their ties to a broader Strategic Partnership while expanding cooperation in semiconductors, clean energy, defense manufacturing, innovation and sustainable mobility. Water management emerged as one of the defining themes of the trip, reflecting the growing importance attached by both countries to climate-resilient development and sustainable infrastructure solutions.
Over the past decade, India and the Netherlands have steadily strengthened collaboration in the water sector, with Dutch agencies and companies contributing to projects involving river rejuvenation, urban flood management, coastal resilience and smart water systems across several Indian states. The latest agreements are expected to deepen that engagement further as India accelerates investments in large-scale climate adaptation and water infrastructure initiatives.