India and the Netherlands celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. On that occasion, a special slogan was launched to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

To celebrate strong political, economic and commercial ties, a large number of events and activities are planned throughout the year in various areas of cooperation, including water, agriculture, innovation, energy, climate and culture. The Netherlands donated 3,000 fresh tulips to India as a symbol of friendship, which were planted in the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan garden.

Relations between India and the Netherlands

India and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1947. Since then, the two countries have developed strong political, economic and trade relations and many sectoral cooperation.

Trade and commercial relations

The essence of bilateral relations between the two countries is trade and trade cooperation. After Mauritius and Singapore, the Netherlands was India’s third largest investor in FY 2019-20, with FDI inflows of $6.5 billion. Between April 2000 and December 2020, Dutch investment in India amounted to USD 36.28 billion, fourth place.

With $1.23 billion in Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) from India in the 2019-20 fiscal year, the Netherlands is India’s fourth-highest ODI destination. The Netherlands is also the fourth largest ODI destination in the 2020-2021 fiscal year (to January 2021), with an investment of $909.9 million.

In the 2020-21 fiscal year (April-December), bilateral trade reached 6.55 billion US dollars, with India’s exports to the Netherlands reaching 4.33 billion US dollars and India’s imports from the Netherlands 2.22 billion US dollars. More than 200 Dutch companies are present in India. There are also more than 200 Indian companies in the Netherlands, including all the major IT companies.

India’s main exports to the Netherlands are petroleum and related products, garments and apparel, metalworking, iron and steel, textile yarns, fabrics, manufactured goods, organic chemicals, medical and pharmaceuticals, electrical machinery, telecommunication equipment, general industrial machinery. , road vehicles, vegetables, fruits and Marine products, spices etc.

water control

Dutch water skills are among the best in the world. The Netherlands has been perfecting the art of flood control, water supply and maintenance for decades. Water technology, marine technology and delta technology are the three main focuses in the water sector. A framework called the Third India Water Alliance Dutch Leadership Initiative (DIWALI) has been developed to identify solutions to water-related challenges, where the two countries can work together to build solutions.

spread

The Netherlands has the second largest Indian diaspora community in Europe (after the UK) and the largest Indian diaspora community in mainland Europe. Entrepreneurs, IT and other professionals, as well as students, make up the majority of Indian citizens in the Netherlands. The diaspora acts as an important link between the two countries and facilitates intercultural exchanges. The e-Tourist Visa System, Know India Program, Trace Roots Program and India Business Internship Program, among others, have contributed to enhancing and deepening interpersonal relationships.