Finance
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar held bilateral discussions with his Dutch counterpart, Caspar Veldkamp, focusing on strengthening the already robust partnership between India and the European nation across multiple sectors.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday that the discussions, which took place on Monday, covered topics including trade, defense, technology, education, and worldwide strategic developments.
Arriving in India on Monday for his first official visit, Caspar Veldkamp reviewed the fast expanding bilateral collaboration with EAM Jaishankar during delegation-level discussions.
“External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar held delegation-level talks with Foreign Minister Veldkamp on 31 March 2025, during which they reviewed the growing bilateral cooperation, including in the areas of political exchanges, trade and investments, defence and security, innovation, culture, and people-to-people ties,” the MEA said in a statement.
The discussions also focused on emerging areas of collaboration, such as semiconductors, digital technologies, renewable energy, green hydrogen, education, and migration.
“They also noted the vast potential of cooperation between India and the Netherlands in new and emerging areas, including semiconductors, digital technologies, renewable energy, green hydrogen, education and migration and mobility of youth, skilled workers, and professionals in addition to strengthening the traditional priority areas of cooperation in Water, Agriculture, and Health,” the statement further read.
Following the meeting, EAM Jaishankar took to X and posted, “Delighted to meet FM Caspar Veldkamp of Netherlands this evening. Discussed our growing bilateral cooperation including in trade, investments, innovation, water, agriculture, health, security and people-to-people ties.”
“Explored new possibilities in semiconductors, green hydrogen, education and talent flows. Also spoke about global strategic developments and the significance of multipolarity,” he added.
Veldkamp echoed similar sentiments in his post on X, stating, “A pleasure meeting with India FM S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, thank you for the warm welcome. We had a fruitful conversation, discussing opportunities to elevate our partnership, the changing geopolitical environment, and finding common ground in a multipolar world order.”
“We spoke about our common goals and global governance and how the Netherlands and India can work together to thrive in areas like water, critical technologies, and security. Next, we discussed ways to strengthen EU-India ties and spoke about international developments, including Ukraine, the transatlantic relationship, the situation in the Middle East, and China,” he added.
In addition to their bilateral discussions, EAM Jaishankar and FM Veldkamp discussed a range of regional and international topics that they both found interesting. During his visit, Veldkamp is also expected to meet with Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor.
India and the Netherlands have a long history of reliable collaboration in a variety of fields. One of the main pillars of the two nations’ bilateral relations has been their strategic partnership in the water industry.
“The visit of FM Veldkamp will provide further impetus to our increasingly strong and expanding bilateral relations,” the ministry stated.
Source: IANS
