‘Significant progress in ties’: PM Modi meets Dutch PM Rob Jetten, heads to Sweden next

India and the Netherlands have officially decided to elevate their bilateral relationship to the level of a "strategic partnership." The transition followed extensive, wide-ranging discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart, Rob Jetten, in The Hague on Saturday.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in the Netherlands as part of a high-profile multi-nation European tour aimed at ramping up economic, technological, and defensive cooperation with key continental partners. Following their bilateral meet, both leaders expressed strong optimism about the future of the Indo-Dutch alliance. 

A decade of deepening cooperation

Reviewing the rapid acceleration of mutual cooperation over the past ten years, PM Modi lauded the resilience and growth of the bilateral bond in his opening televised remarks. "There has been significant progress in India-Netherlands ties in the last one decade. Democratic values, market economy, and responsible behavior are part of our common approach," he said.

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PM Modi further stressed that the alliance directly impacts the grassroots level of both nations, noting, "Our cooperation in areas of water, healthcare, and education has been making the lives of our people better."

The Netherlands stands as one of India's largest trading destinations in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching $27.8 billion in 2024–25. It is also India's fourth-largest investor, with a cumulative foreign direct investment of $55.6 billion.

Merging Dutch expertise with Indian scale

A core focus of the bilateral talks was combining the unique economic strengths of both nations. Prime Minister Modi proposed a collaborative framework that leverages European precision and India's massive manufacturing expansion.

"We should incorporate the Netherlands' expertise and India's speed and skill in every sector. We need to take our cooperation in areas of innovation, investment, sustainability, and defence to new heights. Under this common vision, we are taking India-Netherlands relations to the level of a Strategic Partnership," the Indian PM said.

Prior to their formal political dialogue, both Prime Ministers jointly chaired a high-powered CEO Roundtable involving leading Dutch executives across energy, semiconductor, agriculture, and port sectors. Addressing the business leaders, Modi highlighted the aggressive structural reforms undertaken by New Delhi to welcome foreign capital.

"Today's India is a symbol of scale and stability. In terms of scale, we are also the fastest-growing major economy in the world and the world's largest talent pool. Infrastructure, clean energy, or connectivity – no one in the world can match India's speed," he said.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten mirrored the sentiment, validating the strategic importance of New Delhi in the Indo-Pacific and global economic landscape. Jetten backed stronger corporate integration and praised the signing of several new pacts, including a crucial joint roadmap for green hydrogen and enhanced talent mobility for researchers and tech professionals.

Urging the Dutch business community to aggressively look toward the Indian market instead of playing it safe, Prime Minister Modi concluded with an evocative Dutch proverb: "There is a saying in the Netherlands, 'Ships are safe in the harbour, but ships are not built to stay in the harbour.' Who understands this better than the Dutch business community? I assure you that your exploration in India will be successful and fruitful. Now you have to venture boldly into India."

Next stop: Sweden

Following his engagements in the Netherlands, Prime Minister Modi will depart for Gothenburg, Sweden, marking the third leg of his ambitious five-nation diplomatic tour that began in the UAE.

During his two-day visit to Sweden, Modi is scheduled to hold extensive bilateral talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to review their $7.75 billion trade relationship and outline collaborations in artificial intelligence, space, defence, and the green transition.

Highlighting the economic significance of this stop, the two leaders will also be joined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to jointly address the European Round Table for Industry, driving forward deep-tech and supply chain partnerships under the newly finalised India-EU Free Trade Agreement.