In a significant move to bolster strategic and defence collaboration, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held high-level talks with the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, David Van Weel, in New Delhi on Thursday. The meeting focused on deepening bilateral security ties and exploring joint ventures in defence manufacturing.
Strengthening Strategic & Defence Partnership
The discussions between the two ministers covered a wide spectrum of bilateral security and defence issues. A key highlight was the focus on identifying priority areas for the co-development and co-production of defence equipment. In a concrete step forward, a Letter of Intent (LoI) on Defence Cooperation was formally exchanged between Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the Dutch Ambassador to India, Marisa Gerards, in the presence of the two ministers.
The Ministry of Defence, in an official statement, said the two nations reaffirmed their commitment to enhance military-to-military cooperation. They agreed to develop defence collaboration as a central pillar of the growing strategic partnership between India and the Netherlands. The talks underscored the strong and expanding defence partnership shared by the two countries.
Shared Vision for Indo-Pacific & Niche Technology
The dialogue also emphasised a shared commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. Both sides recognised the necessity for a closer defence partnership and stressed the importance of connecting the defence industries of both nations. Special attention was given to collaboration in the field of niche and advanced technologies.
The official statement noted that India and the Netherlands plan to explore possibilities for defence cooperation in identified areas for mutual benefit. This will be achieved by formulating a defence industrial roadmap focused on technology collaboration, co-production, and co-development of platforms and military equipment.
People-to-People Bonds and Broader Bilateral Ties
During the meeting, Rajnath Singh highlighted the robust people-to-people connections between the two countries. He pointed out that the large Indian diaspora in the Netherlands acts as a living bridge, continually strengthening the bonds of friendship and understanding.
This defence dialogue follows the official visit of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to the Netherlands in May this year. During that visit, both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation, including trade, economy, science & technology, water management, agriculture, health, and education. They also discussed ways to increase collaboration in emerging sectors like digital technology, semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and green hydrogen. The commitment to elevate defence and security cooperation to the next level was agreed upon during that earlier engagement, paving the way for Thursday's substantive talks.
