The Hague [Netherlands], May 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, visited the iconic Afsluitdijk, a landmark of Dutch water management, on Sunday.

Highlighting the Netherlands’ pioneering role in water resources, PM Modi said the world can learn significantly from the country’s expertise. “An area in which the Netherlands has done groundbreaking work is water management. The entire international community can benefit from this. This morning, I had the opportunity to visit the Afsluitdijk and explore its key features. I am grateful to Prime Minister Rob Jetten for accompanying me,” PM Modi posted on X.

He added that India is committed to leveraging modern technology from the Netherlands to support irrigation, flood protection, and the development of inland waterways.

The visit emphasized the shared dedication of both nations to innovative water management, climate resilience, and sustainable infrastructure. The Afsluitdijk, a 32-kilometre-long dam and causeway, serves as a global benchmark for flood control and land reclamation, safeguarding vast regions of the Netherlands from the North Sea while storing freshwater.

The delegation also drew parallels between the Afsluitdijk and India’s ambitious Kalpasar project in Gujarat. The Kalpasar project aims to establish a freshwater reservoir across the Gulf of Khambhat, integrating tidal power, irrigation, and transportation infrastructure. In this context, the Ministry of Jal Shakti of India and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management signed a Letter of Intent for technical cooperation on the Kalpasar project.

Both leaders noted that Dutch expertise in hydraulic engineering, combined with India’s capacity for large-scale implementation, presents significant opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration. The visit reaffirmed the India–Netherlands Strategic Partnership on Water, underscoring a shared commitment to innovation and sustainability.

PM Modi also reflected on the broader impact of his visit, stating, “My Netherlands visit has added new momentum to India–Netherlands ties. From elevating our relationship to a Strategic Partnership to expanding cooperation in water resources, semiconductors, innovation, defence, sustainability, and mobility, we have charted an ambitious roadmap for the future.”

Expressing gratitude to PM Rob Jetten for the warm hospitality, PM Modi said, “I am confident that the friendship between India and the Netherlands will continue to grow stronger in the years to come.”

PM Modi arrived in The Hague on May 15 for a two-day visit as part of a four-nation European tour, with his next stops including Sweden, Norway, and Italy.