India and Netherlands Solidify Bilateral Ties with 17 Key Agreements
AMSTERDAM. India and the Netherlands have unlocked a new era of diplomatic and economic cooperation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit. The strengthening of India-Netherlands bilateral ties was formalised through the signing of 17 wide-ranging agreements alongside an overarching strategic document. Both nations officially adopted the Roadmap of India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership to guide future collaboration. High-level delegation talks concluded with key understandings on tech transfer, global mobility, and heritage restoration. A major cultural highlight of the visit included the official restitution of historic Chola Copper Plates to India. This comprehensive engagement highlights the deep mutual trust and expanding economic synergies between New Delhi and Amsterdam.
High-Tech Collaboration, Semiconductors, and Mobility
A primary focus of the new agreements involves boosting manufacturing capabilities and legal migration pathways between both nations. To enhance technological exchange, the two nation signe a significant Memorandum of Understanding on Mobility and Migration to streamline professional transit. In the electronics sector, Tata Electronics and Dutch tech giant ASML signed a pact for semiconductor support in Dholera. This collaboration ha the potential to accelerate India’s domestic chip-making ecosystem through advanced lithography manufacturing expertise. Additionally, the visit le to an agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters to ensure seamless bilateral trade operations. These agreements underscore the modern, technology-driven approach defining updated India-Netherlands bilateral ties.
Energy Transition, Critical Minerals, and Water Management
The bilateral discussions heavily prioritised climate action, sustainable infrastructure development, and resource security for the coming decade. India’s Ministry of Mines and the Dutch Foreign Ministry signed a key agreement targeting cooperation in critical minerals. Both nations also launched the India-Netherlands Roadmap on the Development of Green Hydrogen Cooperation to accelerate renewable transitions. Furthermore, NITI Aayog signed a Joint Statement of Intent with Dutch counterparts for collaborations on clean energy sector transitions. For infrastructure, the Ministry of Jal Shakti secured a Letter of Intent for technical cooperation regarding Gujarat’s Kalpasar Project. This deep alignment on environmental resilience positions the green transition at the heart of long-term India-Netherlands bilateral ties.
Agriculture, Healthcare, and Institutional Education
Sustained cooperation will also expand heavily into agricultural development, public healthcare infrastructure, and academic exchange programs. The two countries established an Indo-Dutch Centre of Excellence for Flowers in West Tripura to boost regional horticulture. A similar Indo-Dutch Centre of Excellence on Training in Dairy saw official launch at Bengaluru's specialied animal husbandry facility. On the health front, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) partnered with the Dutch RIVM for public health cooperation. Educational ties stood boosted through an academic cooperation pact between India's Nalanda University and the University of Groningen. Finally, Leiden University Libraries signed an MoU with the Archaeological Survey of India to complete the 17 core results cementing India-Netherlands bilateral ties.
India-Netherlands Bilateral Outcomes Sector Key Agreement / Outcome Document Overarching Framework Roadmap of India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership . Primary Metric India-Netherlands bilateral ties. Technology Tata Electronics & ASML MoU for Dholera Semiconductor Support. Energy & Minerals Green Hydrogen Roadmap; Critical Minerals Cooperation MoU. Culture & Heritage Restitution of Chola Copper Plates; ASI & Leiden University MoU. Agriculture Centres of Excellence for Flowers (Tripura) and Dairy (Bengaluru). Education & Health Nalanda University-Groningen University MoU; ICMR-RIVM Health Pact.
