India and Netherlands discuss defense cooperation in Delhi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans in New Delhi on Tuesday. This meeting took place during the Raisina Dialogue 2025, which began on March 17. The two leaders shook hands and exchanged greetings before discussing important matters. The Raisina Dialogue is an international conference organized by India's Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation. It focuses on geopolitics and geoeconomics. This year, the conference has attracted nearly 3,700 attendees, including over 800 speakers and delegates from around 130 countries. Among the participants are various dignitaries like heads of state, lawmakers, diplomats, and business leaders. The theme for this year’s dialogue is “Kalachakra: People, Peace, Planet.” It reflects the conference's commitment to addressing significant global challenges. Marisa Gerards, the Dutch Ambassador to India, noted that the relationship between India and the Netherlands is strong. She highlighted that the Netherlands was one of the first countries to recognize India’s independence and has active trade and investment ties. The Netherlands is currently the fourth largest foreign investor in India, with around 300 Dutch companies operating in the country. Gerards emphasized the need for more collaboration, particularly in green energy and innovation. She mentioned that both countries are working on a strategic partnership to enhance trade and security. The discussion includes sectors like water management, health, agriculture, and climate. Gerards pointed out the importance of green hydrogen and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in this area.