Dutch minister arrives to strengthen strategic bilateral partnerships.
New Delhi: Diplomatic engagements between India and Europe gained fresh momentum on Thursday as Netherlands Foreign Minister David van Weel touched down in the national capital. His arrival marks a significant step in bolstering the strategic partnership between the two nations, with a scheduled itinerary covering key engagements in both New Delhi and Mumbai.
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the arrival, highlighting that the David van Weel visit is designed to diversify and deepen the existing bonds between New Delhi and Amsterdam.
Preparing for Prime Minister Schoof
This high-level diplomatic tour serves as a crucial precursor to the anticipated visit of Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. According to reports, PM Schoof is slated to lead a major delegation to India in February next year.
Marisa Gerards, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to India, recently shared insights regarding the future roadmap. She indicated that the Dutch Prime Minister will be heading a delegation for the AI Impact Summit scheduled for February 2026. This upcoming group is expected to include high-profile business leaders, such as the CEO of Philips, along with vice presidents from various corporations and academic leaders from technical universities.
Focus on Innovation and Trade
The current visit follows closely on the heels of the 13th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held earlier this month. During those meetings, officials from both sides reviewed the trajectory of bilateral trade and identified new avenues for collaboration.
Key areas of focus for the David van Weel visit include critical technologies such as semiconductors and Artificial Intelligence. Furthermore, both nations are keen on expanding cooperation in green hydrogen, shipping, defense, and security.
India and the Netherlands continue to maintain a strong "WAH" agenda, focusing on Water, Agriculture, and Health. As a key economic partner in Europe, the Netherlands is also pushing for the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, a sentiment echoed during the recent visit by the EU College of Commissioners.
