NEW DELHI/THE HAGUE – Amid shifting global geopolitics, India and the Netherlands have elevated their ties to a strategic partnership. The two nations have inked 17 agreements that will boost cooperation across several key sectors like defence and critical minerals.
This was done during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten, PTI reported.
While meeting on Saturday evening, the two global leaders expressed deep concern over the ongoing situation in West Asia, especially its serious implications for the region as well as the wider world in view of disruptions caused to the global energy supplies.
They have called for freedom of navigation along with global flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, opposing any “restrictive” measures, according to a joint statement.
Prime Minister Modi and Jatten have even reaffirmed their support for ongoing initiatives in this regard.
Notably, around one-fifth of global energy supplies pass through this narrow waterway. However, shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted since February 28, when the US and Israel launched a major attack on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Apart from the West Asia crisis, they even discussed the situation in Ukraine, amid the ongoing conflict with Russia and regional security developments.
PM Modi and Jatten have agreed to continue supporting efforts towards the achievement of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine via dialogue and diplomacy, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, the statement added.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in The Hague on Friday on a two-day visit as part of a four-nation trip to Europe, which is aimed at ramping up bilateral ties in a range of key areas.
After the talks, India and the Netherlands unveiled a “strategic partnership roadmap” to boost ties in trade and investment, defence and security as well as other sectors.
The two leaders have launched an ambitious “India-Netherlands roadmap on the development of green hydrogen,” besides agreeing to explore possibilities of establishing a defence industrial roadmap for ensuring joint manufacturing of defence equipment, systems, components and other key capabilities through transfer of technology and setting up of joint ventures.
Notably, the Netherlands is one of India’s largest trading destinations in Europe, with bilateral trade touching $27.8 billion in 2024-25, according to PTI. The European nation is India’s fourth largest investor with cumulative foreign direct investment of $55.6 billion.
ANN/The Statesman