With Prime Minister Narendra Modi in The Hague, Dutch foreign minister Tom Berendsen decodes the new India-Netherlands strategic partnership, semiconductor focus and the geopolitical imperative for trust-based ties in an exclusive interview to Sachin Parashar.
Strategic Partnership in an Unpredictable World
This is the second visit by PM Modi to the Netherlands and the first since the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was announced. Berendsen outlined the big takeaways from the visit, emphasizing that in a world becoming increasingly unpredictable, strategic cooperation is not a luxury but a necessity. The Netherlands is actively seeking new partnerships outside traditional alliances, and India stands out as a logical and promising partner—not only in trade but increasingly as an ally in security and innovation.
Both countries have decided to elevate their cooperation into a strategic partnership focused on trade and investment, security, innovation, and people-to-people ties. By joining forces, they aim to ensure better earning capacity and security in the future. The India-EU FTA can unlock even greater cooperation and strengthen supply chains amid global uncertainty. This strategic partnership forms a solid basis for jointly finding solutions to major geopolitical challenges, building a resilient future based on shared interests, innovation, and strategic trust.
Semiconductor Partnership and Resilient Supply Chains
Given the focus on the semiconductor partnership and the global push to build resilient supply chains, Berendsen explained how the Netherlands proposes to link its advanced semiconductor ecosystem with India's semiconductor mission and manufacturing expansion. Semiconductors have become central to economic resilience and technological leadership worldwide. The Netherlands has a highly advanced semiconductor ecosystem, while India brings enormous engineering talent, innovation capacity, and growing manufacturing ambitions—a powerful combination.
The goal is to build a long-term innovation partnership by connecting universities, research institutes, startups, and industry on both sides. Recent global disruptions have shown the importance of diversified and trusted supply chains. India's rise as a semiconductor hub can play a major role in building a more resilient global ecosystem, and the Netherlands has much to offer on that journey.
Geopolitical Challenges: West Asia and Ukraine
The PMs are expected to discuss the current situation in West Asia and Ukraine. Berendsen noted that for the Netherlands, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is the most serious security challenge facing Europe in decades. It challenges sovereignty, international law, and the rules-based international order. The war in the Middle East and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have further reinforced pressures on maritime security and global trade flows, disrupting energy markets, food supplies, shipping routes, and supply chains worldwide.
In this context, closer cooperation between trusted partners such as India is necessary. Both countries have a strong interest in economic resilience, secure sea lanes, stable global supply chains, peaceful resolution of disputes, and upholding international law. Trusted strategic partnerships are no longer optional; they are essential. The interests of the Netherlands, the EU, and India clearly converge here.
Defense Cooperation and Technology Collaboration
There is a focus on developing defense cooperation as a key pillar of the partnership. Berendsen indicated that the Netherlands and India are exploring possibilities for a deeper and more strategic defense partnership, particularly in maritime, cyber, and technology domains. In the coming years, cooperation is expected to become more operational and technology-driven, including greater naval engagement, maritime exchanges, cybersecurity cooperation, and stronger industrial partnerships. Earlier this month, a Dutch frigate made a port call to Kochi to strengthen naval-to-naval ties.
Regarding India's ties with Russia, Berendsen noted a growing understanding across Europe that India is diversifying its defense partnerships and emerging as a major strategic actor. The Dutch approach is pragmatic and forward-looking, focusing on expanding areas where Dutch and Indian security interests increasingly converge.
Aligned Indo-Pacific Strategies
Berendsen explained how the Dutch Indo-Pacific strategy aligns with India's focus on maritime security, freedom of navigation, and promoting a free, open, and inclusive region amid Chinese assertiveness. The Netherlands and India increasingly see the Indo-Pacific through the same lens: stability at sea is essential for prosperity on land. As trading nations, both depend on open shipping routes, secure supply chains, and respect for international maritime law.
India plays a pivotal role in the Indo-Pacific, and the Netherlands sees India as a natural strategic partner in maintaining a free, open, and inclusive region. That is why they are expanding cooperation in maritime security, cyber resilience, smart ports, and naval engagement, including through frameworks such as the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, which the Netherlands recently joined as a co-lead of the capacity building pillar. Their approach is not about confrontation but about ensuring all countries can trade freely, connect securely, and operate under clear international rules. In today's geopolitical climate, trusted partnerships matter more than ever, making the new Strategic Partnership between the two countries so important.
