Narendra Modi is on an important diplomatic visit to the Netherlands aimed at strengthening India–Europe relations after the India–EU Free Trade developments. On the third day of the visit, PM Modi is scheduled to visit a 32-km-long major Dutch dam around noon, followed by his departure to Sweden at around 3 PM for a two-day official visit. In Sweden, he will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and participate in the EU Industry Roundtable alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. During the Netherlands visit, India and the Netherlands signed 17 major agreements covering investment, semiconductors, technology, cybersecurity, and cultural cooperation. Both countries also finalized a 2030 strategic roadmap to deepen collaboration in trade, defense, and innovation. A major cultural highlight was the return of 11th-century Chola-era copper plates to India, marking a significant diplomatic success. PM Modi also met Dutch leaders, the royal family, and industry CEOs during the visit. Addressing the Indian diaspora in The Hague, PM Modi expressed concern over the current global situation, highlighting challenges such as COVID-19 aftermath, ongoing conflicts, and the global energy crisis. He warned that if conditions do not improve, global progress made over decades could be reversed, pushing large populations back into poverty. He emphasized that India and the Netherlands are working together to build resilient, transparent, and future-ready supply chains, particularly in energy and water security.
