The Hague, May 16 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a courtesy call on King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, where the leaders discussed ways to deepen the India–Netherlands partnership. The Dutch monarchs hosted a dinner in Modi’s honour.
According to an official Prime Minister’s Office statement, discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations across multiple areas and on enhancing people-to-people connections. Modi recalled with appreciation the King and Queen’s 2019 state visit to India, saying it had helped renew momentum and mutual goodwill in the relationship.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with ongoing cooperation in education, innovation, semiconductors, digital technology, water management and green partnerships. The two countries are also engaged across defence, security, green hydrogen and a Strategic Partnership on Water, reflecting a wide-ranging strategic agenda.
Modi thanked the Dutch royal couple for their hospitality and, in a post on X, described India and the Netherlands as partners united by common interests and a shared commitment to creating a future-ready planet. He highlighted collaboration in technology, innovation, sustainable growth, trade and water resources.
This marks Modi’s second visit to the Netherlands since 2017 and comes early in the tenure of India’s new government, providing an opportunity to widen and deepen the multifaceted partnership.
The Netherlands is a major European trade partner for India: bilateral trade stood at about USD 27.8 billion in 2024–25. The country is also one of India’s largest investors in Europe, with cumulative foreign direct investment of roughly USD 55.6 billion.
People-to-people links remain central to the relationship. The Netherlands hosts more than 90,000 Indians and persons of Indian origin, alongside a Suriname Hindustani community of over 200,000. Around 3,500 Indian students are currently enrolled at Dutch universities.
Earlier in the day, Narendra Modi addressed an Indian community gathering in The Hague, praising the warmth and enthusiasm of the audience and saying the reception felt like a festival at home. He used the imagery of the Dutch tulip and the Indian lotus to underline shared cultural strengths, suggesting both flowers teach resilience and beauty whether rooted in water or soil.
On global challenges, Modi warned that recent shocks—pandemic, war and the West Asia-driven energy crisis—have made this decade particularly testing. He stressed the need for resilient supply chains and said India and the Netherlands are working together to build future-ready, dependable links for trade and industry.
(Reporting based on official PMO material and statements.)
