The camaraderie between India and Netherlands is ever-growing and strengthening over time. With various recent advancements, both the nations have fortified their relationship in several key sectors such as trade, healthcare, science, technology and agriculture. The most recent addition to this list is the signing of a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) on Medical Product Regulation which further bolsters the quality of healthcare services. This cooperation came into light during the Indian delegation’s participation at the World Local Production Forum (WLPF) held in The Hague.
Understanding Netherlands
Netherlands, bordered by Germany in the east, Belgium in south and North Sea in the northwest, is a Constitutional Monarchy with a parliamentary system. Amsterdam is the official capital and The Hague serves as the seat of the government. Major rivers Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt run through this country contributing to its unique geographical features.
A Historic Connect: India-Netherlands Relationship
The diplomatic ties between India and the Netherlands date back to 1947. As of 2022, it has been 75 years since the establishment of these diplomatic relations. Since then, both countries have maintained robust political, economic, and commercial relations. Frequent high-level mutual exchanges have provided substantial impetus to their multifaceted partnership.
Trade and Investment: The Economic Connect
The Netherlands ranks as the fourth largest trading partner with India in Europe between April 2000-March 2023. It also holds the position of the fourth largest investor in India. Bilateral trade touched a whopping USD 27.58 billion during 2022-23 with FDI inflows amounting to USD 43.75 billion. Major exports from India to the Netherlands include petroleum products, telecom instruments, aluminium products, electronic instruments, iron and steel.
Recent Collaborative Efforts
In September, 2022, a Joint Statement was signed to establish a bilateral Fast-Track Mechanism (FTM) between India and the Netherlands with the primary goal of facilitating investments by Dutch companies in India. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) along with Embassy of Netherlands were the signatories.
Cooperation in Science and Technology
The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) collaborates with several Indian government departments. A key project under this collaboration is the “Local Treatment of Urban Sewage Streams for Healthy Reuse (LOTUS-HR)”. Funded both by India’s Department of Biotechnology and Dutch NWO-TTW, this project is an excellent example of India-Netherlands joint collaboration.
Focusing on Water Management
India and the Netherlands have jointly developed a platform called Dutch Indo Water Alliance Leadership Initiative (DIWALI). This platform aims to design solutions for water challenges.
Boosting the Agriculture Sector
Agriculture has been identified as one of the core sectors by the Netherlands for enhancing bilateral cooperation with India. In addition, the 5th Joint Agriculture Working Group (JAWG) meeting took place in New Delhi in 2018. An Action Plan that envisages cooperation in establishing Centers of Excellence (CoE) in horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries and food processing was signed under JAWG.
Healthcare: Advancements and Collaborations
An MoU for Cooperation in the Field of Healthcare and Public Health was signed in January 2014 to promote collaborative research in emerging health challenges associated with communicable diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
The strengthened relationship between India and the Netherlands, fortified with shared values and people-to-people connection, has inarguably brought the two nations closer. Their consistent cooperation across various sectors is paving the way for stronger ties and proving instrumental in addressing global challenges.
