Strengthening Ties: India and Netherlands Discuss Future Collaborations
India and Netherlands Enhance Bilateral Relations
New Delhi: On Thursday, India and the Netherlands convened for the 13th round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi, focusing on enhancing their partnership in critical sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, green hydrogen, and shipping. They also addressed key areas under the Water, Agriculture, and Health (WAH) agenda.
Both nations expressed their commitment to adding a strategic dimension to their bilateral relationship across various sectors. They acknowledged the increasing high-level political interactions that have been pivotal in guiding and energizing their ties, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The consultations served as a platform to evaluate the progress in their bilateral relationship and explore new avenues for collaboration. The Indian delegation was led by Sibi George, Secretary (West) at the MEA, while Christiaan Rebergen, Secretary General of the Netherlands' Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed the Dutch delegation.
The MEA highlighted the Netherlands' significance as a vital economic partner for India in Europe, noting the steady growth in trade and investment between the two countries. They emphasized the need to finalize the India-EU Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year, as directed by leaders from both sides during the EU College of Commissioners' visit in February. Discussions also included regional and global issues of mutual concern, particularly the fight against terrorism, with India reiterating its zero-tolerance stance.
Officials from both nations recognized the importance of cultural ties and people-to-people connections, with the Indian community in the Netherlands playing a crucial role in strengthening these links and contributing to the local economy.
The MEA's statement emphasized that the Foreign Office Consultations are a key institutional mechanism for discussing the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation. Both sides agreed to continue these consultations regularly and to plan the next meeting in the Netherlands at a mutually convenient time.
India and the Netherlands share a robust bilateral relationship founded on common democratic values and extensive cooperation across various domains. They have established a Strategic Partnership on Water, which includes collaboration and knowledge sharing in flood management and clean water technologies.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof met during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg on November 23. PM Modi remarked on the rapid growth of their partnership in sectors such as energy, technology, and water resources.
In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "Met Mr. Dick Schoof, Prime Minister of the Government of the Netherlands, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. The bilateral partnership between our nations is growing rapidly in areas like water resources, innovation, technology, and energy. We will keep working to deepen trade and investment linkages in the times to come."
During their meeting, the leaders explored opportunities for expanding mutual investments through their Strategic Partnership.
Schoof also shared on X, "The Netherlands and India work closely together in the areas of trade, security, and innovation. We are the fourth largest investor in India worldwide. It was good to meet briefly with Narendra Modi in South Africa during the G20 summit. We discussed the possibilities of expanding mutual investments through the Strategic Partnership and my participation in the India-AI Impact Summit in New Delhi next year. The Netherlands and India will continue to work closely together in the long term. In a rapidly changing world, it is important that we can continue to count on each other."