During his visit to The Hague on May 15-16, 2026, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership. This decision reflects the changing dynamics of global geopolitics and aims to enhance cooperation in several sectors. Modi noted that India considers the Netherlands one of its key partners, highlighting the historical and deep-rooted people-to-people ties. With bilateral trade reaching $27.8 billion in 2024-25, the Netherlands stands as India's fourth largest investor, contributing $55.6 billion in foreign direct investment. Modi called for a convergence of Dutch expertise with India's rapid development, particularly in innovation, investment, sustainability, and defense. He also invited Dutch companies to explore opportunities in various sectors, including maritime and renewable energy, emphasizing India's reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business. The two leaders also stressed the importance of implementing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) promptly, further solidifying their commitment to a robust partnership.