Rajnath Singh discusses Indo-Pacific, AI with Dutch Minister Ruben Brekelmans

The two Ministers explored the possibilities of collaboration in shipbuilding, equipment and space sectors, optimising the complementariness in skills, technology & scale of the two countries.

"They also discussed working together in domains like Artificial Intelligence and related technologies, besides connecting the respective defence technology research institutes and organisations," read a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.

Singh Writes On X

Following the meeting, Singh wrote on X: "Delighted to meet the young and dynamic Defence Minister of Netherlands, Mr. Ruben Berkelmans in New Delhi. We reviewed the full range of India-Netherlands defence cooperation."

"We look forward to further deepen and elevate our defence partnership. The areas of our discussion included defence, cyber security, Indo-Pacific and emerging technologies like AI," he said.

India-Netherlands Relationship

India and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1947. Year 2022 marked 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations.

India and the Netherlands have regular contact at high levels. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conveyed his congratulations to the new government of the Netherlands led by PM Dick Schoof on assuming office on July 02, 2024.

Dr S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India also conveyed his congratulations to the new FM of the Netherlands Mr Caspar Veldkamp.

On September 28, on the sidelines of 79th UNGA meeting in New York, Dutch FM Caspar Veldkamp met with EAM  & held discussions on bilateral cooperation, water management, agriculture, trade and investment. They also discussed various regional & global developments.

Former PM Rutte during his 14 year long premiership visited India thrice in 2015, 2018 and 2023 (for the G20 Summit).

An Online Virtual Summit between the two leaders took place in 2021 wherein the India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership in Water was launched and the Joint Working Group on Water Cooperation was elevated to the Ministerial level.

PM Modi had visited the Netherlands in 2017.

In April 2022, on the occasion of 75 years of India-Netherlands relations, then President of India Ram Nath Kovind paid a State Visit to the Kingdom of Netherlands.

The President was ceremonially welcomed at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima.

He had also met with PM Rutte. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands paid a state visit to India from October 14-18, 2019.

The EAM paid a visit to the Netherlands in November 2019.

Then Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Hanke Bruins Slot and Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren had visited India in February 2024 for the Raisina Dialogue and bilateral meetings.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla visited the Netherlands in August 2022 and interacted with the President of the Senate, Jan Anthonie Bruijn, who later visited India in October 2023 to participate in the P20 Summit.

Indo-Pacific

The Netherlands issued its guidelines on the Indo-Pacific in 2020 which identifies India as a key partner. India welcomed the guidelines. Both sides recognize the close convergence between each other’s vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.