PM Modi’s visit to Netherlands secures 17 strategic pacts

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands ended Sunday with 17 outcomes in all, including agreements on migration and mobility, green hydrogen and defence cooperation.

Along with the war in Ukraine, Modi and Dutch PM Rob Jetten also discussed the situation in West Asia, calling for freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce through Strait of Hormuz, while opposing any restrictive measures, and reaffirmed their support for ongoing efforts and initiatives in that regard.

“Both leaders expressed deep concern over the situation in West Asia, noting its serious implications for the region and the wider world, including immense human suffering and disruptions to global energy supplies and trade networks,” said a joint statement, welcoming the ceasefire announced on April 8.

Govt brushed aside questions from local media based on purported remarks by the Dutch PM on minority rights and press freedom in India. “We face these kinds of questions basically because of lack of understanding on the part of the person who asks them. You need to have more understanding of India to appreciate what India is,” said MEA secretary (west) Sibi George. He also clarified that he had not seen any such statement by the Dutch PM.

The visit also saw the two countries upgrading their relationship to a strategic partnership and signing an agreement to support India’s semiconductor fabrication plant in Gujarat.

According to the joint statement, Jetten strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and expressed Netherlands’ solidarity and unwavering support to India in its fight against terrorism, including cross-border terrorism. “The two Prime Ministers unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They called for a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and rejected double standards in countering terrorism,” it said.

The countries also signed a letter of intent to further explore defence industrial cooperation, including the possibility of establishing a roadmap for the manufacturing of defence equipment, components and other key capabilities through co-development, transfer of technology and joint ventures.