Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Netherlands counterpart Rob Jetten visited the Afsluitdijk Dam to explore Dutch expertise in water management. PM Modi praised the Netherlands for its pioneering work in water resources and expressed gratitude to PM Jetten for the insightful visit. The visit emphasized the potential collaboration between the two countries in areas like irrigation, flood control, and inland waterway development.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson highlighted the relevance of Dutch expertise for India’s Kalpasar Project in Gujarat. The visit underscored opportunities for deeper cooperation between India and the Netherlands in climate resilience, water technology, and sustainable infrastructure. PM Modi and PM Jetten also discussed strengthening the India-Netherlands relationship during their meeting at Catshuis in The Hague.
The leaders decided to elevate the bilateral relationship to a “Strategic Partnership” and agreed on an ambitious Roadmap for Strategic Partnership. They focused on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, defence, security, technology, renewable energy, and education. The two Prime Ministers emphasized the importance of expanding business, investment, technology partnerships, and cooperation in critical minerals and emerging technologies like AI and Semiconductors.
Reflecting on the cultural ties, PM Modi thanked the Netherlands for facilitating the return of the 11th-century Chola plates. Both leaders welcomed the collaboration between Leiden University Library and the Archaeological Survey of India to advance knowledge of historic artefacts, strengthening the cultural relations between the two nations.
