Following discussions between PM Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, a joint statement was released, outlining an agreement for regular and structured cooperation across various sectors like trade and investment, cybersecurity, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, defence, clean energy, agriculture, water management, and education.
The Netherlands declared its intention to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and to co-lead the Capacity Building and Resource Sharing pillar alongside Germany and the European Union.
Both nations highlighted the necessity of a “free, open, secure and peaceful Indo-Pacific,” grounded in international law, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of navigation.
In light of escalating tensions in West Asia, both leaders expressed significant concerns regarding the conflict’s effects on global trade and energy supplies. They advocated for the uninterrupted movement of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz and condemned any restrictions on global shipping routes.
Regarding global governance, India and the Netherlands endorsed reforms of multilateral institutions, including expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership categories in the United Nations Security Council. PM Modi expressed gratitude to the Dutch leadership for backing India’s pursuit of permanent membership in a reformed UNSC.
In the realm of defence, the two nations signed a Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation and agreed to investigate a Defence Industrial Roadmap focused on co-development, technology transfer, and manufacturing partnerships.
The leaders also contemplated joint ventures for co-producing defence equipment and enhancing collaboration in maritime security, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and emerging technologies.
In the semiconductor arena, both parties welcomed initiatives to connect the Dutch Semicon Competence Centre with India’s Semiconductor Mission (ISM), aimed at fortifying partnerships in chip technologies.
Progress was also made in clean energy cooperation, with both nations endorsing the establishment of a Joint Working Group under the renewable energy partnership to concentrate on solar power, green hydrogen, storage technologies, and investments related to the energy transition.
On the education front, the two countries celebrated the signing of an MoU between the University of Groningen and 19 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to enhance academic collaboration and research connections.
Additionally, India and the Netherlands signed an agreement for mutual administrative assistance in customs matters to bolster information-sharing between their customs authorities.
(Edited by : Prashant)
First Published: May 17, 2026 4:21 PM IST
