India and the Netherlands forge a bold five-year strategic alliance for 2030
India and the Netherlands have strengthened their ties by signing a new five-year 'Strategic Partnership' for 2026–2030. The agreement covers trade, technology, and sustainability, with key projects in green hydrogen, dairy training, and semiconductor manufacturing. Both nations also finalised deals on customs cooperation and cultural heritage repatriation. The partnership was marked by the signing of multiple agreements. A Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement will allow real-time data sharing to streamline trade. Bilateral trade in 2024–25 reached USD 27.8 billion, with India holding a surplus of USD 17.39 billion. The Netherlands remains India’s fourth-largest foreign direct investment (FDI) source.
On green energy, the two countries adopted a Green Hydrogen Roadmap to boost joint research in production and storage. The Kalpasar Project in Gujarat—focused on tidal power, irrigation, and maritime transport—also received technical support from Dutch experts.
In agriculture, an Indo-Dutch Centre of Excellence for Dairy Training opened in Bengaluru to improve milk yields and cold-chain safety. Another CoE for flowers was launched in West Tripura to double farmers’ incomes through tissue culture and commercial floriculture.
The Dutch government returned the 11th-century Chola Copper Plates (Leiden Plates) to India, resolving a long-standing cultural heritage claim. Meanwhile, Tata Electronics and ASML inked a semiconductor deal for the Dholera Fab facility, advancing India’s chip-making ambitions. The new strategic roadmap sets clear targets for 2026–2030, covering energy, agriculture, and high-tech industries. Collaborations like the Kalpasar Project, green hydrogen research, and semiconductor production aim to drive economic and environmental progress. The repatriation of the Chola Copper Plates further strengthens cultural and diplomatic bonds.
