New Delhi, February 19 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with his Dutch counterpart, Dick Schoof, on Thursday at the ongoing AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Both India and the Netherlands pledged to further strengthen cooperation in technology and innovation and to leverage new opportunities in their bilateral economic partnership.
"Both leaders discussed the potential of using AI to drive economic and social transformation. They also noted the conclusion of the India-EU FTA negotiations and reaffirmed their commitment to its early implementation. They agreed to further strengthen India-Netherlands cooperation in technology and innovation and to leverage new opportunities in our economic partnership. Both leaders also committed to strengthening the global fight against terrorism," the Ministry of External Affairs stated after the meeting.
India and the Netherlands have a strong bilateral relationship based on shared democratic values and multifaceted cooperation in various areas. The two countries have a Strategic Partnership on Water, which covers extensive cooperation and knowledge sharing in flood management, clean water technologies, and other domains.
Prime Minister Modi had met Schoof at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg last November, noting that the bilateral partnership between the two nations is growing rapidly in sectors such as energy, technology, innovation, and water resources.
During their meeting last year, the two leaders discussed the possibilities of expanding mutual investments through the Strategic Partnership.
Schoof highlighted that both countries work closely together in the areas of trade, security, and innovation, and that the Netherlands is the fourth largest investor in India worldwide.
"In a rapidly changing world, it is important that we can continue to rely on each other," he posted on X after the Johannesburg meeting.
In December, both countries also held the 13th Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi, discussing ways to further strengthen the partnership in sectors such as critical technologies and innovation, including semiconductors and AI, science and technology, green hydrogen, and shipping, as well as priority areas such as Water, Agriculture, and Health (WAH).
The two sides reiterated their intent to provide strategic dimensions to bilateral ties in various sectors. According to the MEA, India and the Netherlands also welcomed the increasing interactions and exchanges at the highest political levels, which has provided constant guidance and momentum to the bilateral ties.
Both countries also noted the continued importance of people-to-people ties and cultural relations for the bilateral ties, calling the Indian community in the Netherlands an important bridge between the two countries.