PM Modi Meets King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima As Netherlands Visit Focuses On Tech, Trade

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands on Saturday during his official visit to the European nation, with talks expected to focus on expanding strategic ties in trade, technology, clean energy and innovation.

The Dutch royals received Modi at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague, followed by a luncheon attended by senior officials, business leaders and representatives from academia and culture. The meeting is part of India’s effort to deepen engagement with European partners amid shifting global economic and geopolitical dynamics.

Modi is also scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, where cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, green hydrogen,

defence, water management and resilient supply chains is expected to dominate the agenda. Officials have indicated that strengthening economic partnerships and boosting investment ties will be key priorities.

Earlier in the day, Modi addressed members of the Indian diaspora in The Hague, describing the atmosphere as feeling “like a festival in India.” Praising the overseas Indian community, he said The Hague had become a “living symbol of Indian friendship” and acknowledged the contribution of Indians to Dutch society and economy.

During the address, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s digital transformation and pitched deeper collaboration between India and the Netherlands in sectors such as AI, semiconductor manufacturing and clean energy. He also reflected on the significance of May 16, recalling the BJP-led NDA’s 2014 election victory as a turning point for India’s governance and development trajectory.

Modi additionally shared cultural moments from the diaspora event, praising performances celebrating traditions from Maharashtra and Assam, saying Indian heritage was increasingly gaining global recognition.

The Netherlands visit forms the second leg of Modi’s five-nation tour, which includes stops in the UAE, Sweden, Norway and Italy. The broader trip aims to strengthen India’s strategic partnerships across Europe and West Asia, with a focus on trade, energy security, technology cooperation and geopolitical coordination.

For India, the Netherlands is seen as an important European partner because of its strengths in logistics, high-tech manufacturing, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and semiconductor ecosystems. The visit is also expected to reinforce cooperation around the proposed India–EU Free Trade Agreement, which both sides see as an opportunity to boost commerce and investment.