EAM Jaishankar Meets Netherlands FM David van Weel, Boosts Strategic Ties
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held wide-ranging talks with Netherlands Foreign Minister David van Weel in New Delhi, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation across trade, defence, shipping, water management, agriculture, health, culture and emerging technologies.
The meeting, attended by senior officials including Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs Sibi George, also covered multilateral cooperation and global geopolitical issues. Jaishankar said the discussions explored new opportunities in semiconductors, renewable energy and talent mobility, while also acknowledging Dutch support for closer India-European Union relations and the early conclusion of a free trade agreement.
The two countries concluded six Memorandums of Understanding during the visit, covering areas such as defence cooperation, cyber security and semiconductor collaboration. The agreements aim to enhance innovation, economic resilience and strategic trust between the two partners.
David van Weel described India as a key partner in shaping shared global priorities. He said the talks addressed regional stability, the Indo-Pacific and the evolving nature of international cooperation in a rapidly changing world. The Dutch minister emphasised that the new agreements mark a concrete step toward deeper engagement in critical future-facing sectors.
The visit also featured strong defence diplomacy. On Thursday, van Weel met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, where both sides signed a Letter of Intent to deepen defence and maritime security cooperation. The agreement focuses on protecting open and secure sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific region, reflecting shared concerns over maritime stability and freedom of navigation.
Beyond official government meetings, van Weel engaged with political, business and academic stakeholders. He met Congress MP and Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs chair Shashi Tharoor to discuss how domestic political debate shapes foreign policy and India’s growing role on the global stage. The Dutch minister also held discussions with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on cooperation in maritime innovation, circular economy, water management and agriculture.
During his India visit, van Weel also interacted with students, entrepreneurs and social partners in Mumbai and visited the Netherlands Consulate, highlighting people-to-people ties as a core pillar of the bilateral relationship.
The visit underlines India and the Netherlands’ intent to expand collaboration beyond traditional sectors and align on strategic, economic and technological priorities.
Our Final Thoughts
The Jaishankar–van Weel meeting signals a deepening India–Netherlands partnership rooted in strategic trust, innovation and shared global responsibilities. With concrete agreements in defence, technology and maritime security, the relationship is evolving from economic engagement to a broader strategic collaboration aligned with India’s Indo-Pacific vision and Europe’s growing focus on Asia.