Netherlands Foreign Minister begins India visit to strengthen ties, focusing on trade, technology, and strategic cooperation ahead of a planned prime ministerial visit next year

New Delhi

Netherlands Foreign Minister David van Weel arrived in India on Thursday for an official visit aimed at deepening bilateral relations. He is scheduled to hold meetings in New Delhi and Mumbai to discuss cooperation across political, economic, and strategic areas.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit will focus on expanding and diversifying India Netherlands ties. Welcoming the minister, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the engagements would help strengthen partnership and explore new opportunities between the two democratic nations.

The high level visit comes ahead of Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof’s proposed trip to India early next year. Dutch Ambassador to India Marisa Gerards said the Prime Minister is expected to lead a delegation to the AI Impact Summit in February 2026.

She added that the delegation may include senior business leaders, technology experts, and representatives from leading technical universities. The visit is expected to boost cooperation in innovation, research, and emerging technologies.

Van Weel’s visit follows the 13th round of Foreign Office Consultations held earlier this month. Both sides reviewed progress in bilateral ties and discussed new areas of cooperation.

These include semiconductors, artificial intelligence, science and technology, green hydrogen, shipping, defence, security, water, agriculture, and health. The two countries also stressed the importance of steady trade growth and investment flows.

India and the Netherlands reiterated support for concluding the India European Union Free Trade Agreement within the agreed timeframe and reaffirmed their shared democratic values and Strategic Partnership on Water.