India and the Netherlands elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to The Hague on May 16, 2026. The move followed talks with Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten and included the return of historical artefacts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive discussions with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on trade, investment and critical technologies. The leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in semiconductors, renewable energy, defence and innovation amid shifting global geopolitics.
The Netherlands returned 11th-century Chola dynasty copper plates to India during the visit. Modi also met business leaders and invited Dutch firms to invest in maritime, artificial intelligence and healthcare sectors.
Bilateral trade reached 27.8 billion dollars in 2024-25 while Dutch foreign direct investment in India stands at 55.6 billion dollars. Both sides stressed the need for early conclusion of the India-EU free trade agreement.
Modi addressed the Indian diaspora in The Hague and highlighted cultural and sporting links between the two nations.
