Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Netherlands on 16 and 17 May 2026 at the invitation of Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. This was Modi’s second visit to the country. During the visit, he met King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima at the Royal Palace in The Hague and held talks focused on trade, technology, defence and strategic cooperation.
India and the Netherlands upgraded their relationship to a “Strategic Partnership” and launched a Strategic Partnership Roadmap for 2026 to 2030. The roadmap covers political cooperation, trade, defence, cyber security, semiconductors, AI, quantum technology, space, health, climate action, education, culture and maritime development.
One of the major outcomes was the signing of an MoU between Tata Electronics and ASML to support the semiconductor fabrication project in Dholera, Gujarat. Both countries also signed an agreement on cooperation in critical minerals and agreed to strengthen collaboration in emerging technologies and supply chains.
India and the Netherlands signed a Mobility and Migration Partnership agreement to improve movement of students, professionals and skilled workers. Both countries also signed a customs cooperation agreement for mutual administrative assistance in customs matters and smoother trade operations.
The Netherlands returned the historic Chola Copper Plates to India as part of cultural cooperation. India and the Netherlands also signed agreements between Nalanda University and the University of Groningen, along with cooperation between Leiden University Libraries and the Archaeological Survey of India.
In the water sector, both sides signed a Letter of Intent for technical cooperation on the Kalpasar Project in Gujarat between India’s Jal Shakti Ministry and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
Both countries expanded renewable energy cooperation through an India Netherlands Green Hydrogen Roadmap, creation of a Joint Working Group on renewable energy and a joint statement between NITI Aayog and Dutch partners on energy transition projects.
In agriculture and dairy, the two countries agreed to establish an Indo Dutch Centre of Excellence for Flowers in Tripura and another Centre of Excellence for Dairy Training in Bengaluru. They also signed a declaration to strengthen cooperation in animal husbandry, fisheries and food security.
India’s ICMR and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment signed a healthcare cooperation agreement focused on public health research and collaboration. Another agreement was signed on higher education cooperation between both governments.
Both leaders welcomed the India EU Free Trade Agreement concluded earlier this year and supported stronger India EU defence and security cooperation in areas such as maritime security, cyber security and counterterrorism.
On global issues, both countries supported a free and open Indo Pacific based on international law and freedom of navigation. The Netherlands also joined the Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative and will co lead the Capacity Building and Resource Sharing pillar with Germany and the European Union.
Regarding Ukraine, both sides supported dialogue and diplomacy for peace. On West Asia and the Strait of Hormuz, the leaders expressed concern over regional tensions and disruptions to energy supplies and global trade, while calling for de escalation and uninterrupted maritime commerce.
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