From semiconductors to water – what’s on PM Modi’s Netherlands agenda?
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Netherlands on Saturday as part of the second phase of his five-nation tour.Upon his arrival, the Prime Minister was welcomed by Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar of the Netherlands, Adjutant-General and Head of His Majesty the King’s Military Household, Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendtsen and Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands Kumar Tuhin as well as other senior officials of the Dutch Government.In a social media post on Twitter, the prime minister said he would meet Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetton and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima.PM Modi said, “Landed in Amsterdam. This visit to the Netherlands comes at a time when the India-EU Free Trade Agreement has given a big boost to trade and investment relations.”“It provides an opportunity to deepen ties in semiconductors, water, clean energy and other sectors. I will be speaking with Prime Minister Rob Jetten and meeting Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. I also look forward to addressing a community event on the morning of the 16th,” he said.What’s on the agenda?
- During the two-day visit, PM Modi will hold talks with his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetton and meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima.
- The Prime Minister will also address the Indian community during an event on Saturday.
- According to the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi will also meet Dutch business leaders during the visit.
- External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the multifaceted partnership between the two countries.
- “This visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the multifaceted India-Netherlands partnership and connect with the largest Indian diaspora in mainland Europe,” Jaiswal said.
- India and the Netherlands have deepened ties beyond trade and investment in recent years, with growing cooperation in key areas such as water management, agriculture and healthcare.
- The Netherlands is one of India’s top trading partners in Europe, with bilateral trade set to reach US$27.8 billion in 2024-25, and is also India’s fourth largest foreign investor with cumulative FDI of US$55.6 billion.