<h3>Overview</h3>
<p>On <strong>16 May 2026</strong>, <strong>Prime Minister Narendra Modi</strong> met his Dutch counterpart <strong>Prime Minister Rob Jetten</strong> in The Hague. The two leaders upgraded bilateral ties to a <span class="key-term" data-definition="Strategic Partnership – a deep, multi‑sectoral cooperation framework that goes beyond ordinary diplomatic relations, covering defence, technology, trade and people‑to‑people links. (GS2: Polity, GS3: Economy)">Strategic Partnership</span> and signed <strong>17 agreements</strong> spanning defence, critical minerals, semiconductors, green hydrogen and migration.</p>
<h3>Key Developments</h3>
<ul>
<li>Launch of a <span class="key-term" data-definition="India‑Netherlands Roadmap – a joint action plan that outlines cooperation in trade, investment, defence, emerging technologies and green energy. (GS2: Polity, GS3: Economy)">Roadmap for Strategic Partnership</span> covering defence industrial collaboration and joint ventures.</li>
<li>Agreement to link the Dutch <span class="key-term" data-definition="Semicon Competence Centre – a Dutch hub that supports semiconductor research, development and industry collaboration. (GS3: Technology)">Semicon Competence Centre</span> with India’s <span class="key-term" data-definition="Semiconductor Mission – a government‑led programme to build a domestic semiconductor ecosystem, reducing import dependence. (GS3: Technology, GS3: Economy)">Semiconductor Mission</span>.</li>
<li>Commitment to develop a <span class="key-term" data-definition="Critical Minerals – minerals such as rare‑earth elements, lithium and cobalt that are essential for high‑tech, defence and clean‑energy applications. (GS3: Economy, GS4: Security)">critical minerals</span> value‑chain, including exploration and processing.</li>
<li>Signing of a migration and mobility pact to ease movement of Indian students and professionals to the Netherlands.</li>
<li>Joint call for freedom of navigation in the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Strait of Hormuz – a narrow waterway between Oman and Iran through which roughly one‑fifth of global oil passes, making it a strategic chokepoint. (GS3: Energy security)">Strait of Hormuz</span> and a free, open Indo‑Pacific.</li>
<li>Reaffirmation of support for a comprehensive, just peace in <strong>Ukraine</strong> based on the UN Charter.</li>
<li>Recognition of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="India‑EU Free Trade Agreement – a negotiated pact aimed at reducing tariffs and non‑tariff barriers between India and the European Union, boosting bilateral trade. (GS3: Economy)">India‑EU Free Trade Agreement</span> as a catalyst for deeper economic ties.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Important Facts</h3>
<p>Bilateral trade reached <strong>$27.8 billion in FY 2024‑25</strong>, making the Netherlands India’s fourth largest investor with cumulative FDI of <strong>$55.6 billion</strong>. The Dutch logistics hub at the Port of Rotterdam s
Loading page, please wait…