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Last Updated:December 20, 2025, 00:14 IST
David van Weel emphasised in an exclusive interview with News18 that as two major democracies, the Netherlands and India must have an honest dialogue regarding internal challenges
A central pillar of the visit was the expansion of the semiconductor partnership. Image/X
During his two-day official visit to India on December 18-19, Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel held high-level discussions in New Delhi and Mumbai, signalling a “next-level" shift in the India-Netherlands strategic partnership.
The visit focused on moving beyond traditional sectors like agriculture and water to concentrate on **high technology, defence, and global trade resilience.
On Democracy and Shared Values: Addressing Intolerance
In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, David van Weel emphasised that as two major democracies, the Netherlands and India must have an honest dialogue regarding internal challenges. He offered condolences on the April Pahalgam terror attack and also touched upon the tricky issue of “migrants and refugees" that has flummoxed many nations.
“The Netherlands and India have to come to grips in terms of what kind of intolerance we cannot accept in our democracies," said the minister.
His remarks underscored the “shared democratic values" that form the bedrock of the bilateral relationship, suggesting that maintaining democratic integrity is essential for long-term strategic stability and innovation.
On Tech and Semiconductors: Betting on India’s Workforce
A central pillar of the visit was the expansion of the semiconductor partnership. Van Weel highlighted India’s burgeoning potential as a global tech hub, citing its highly educated “workforce" and the presence of Dutch industry leaders.
The Workforce Advantage: He lauded India’s “huge workforce" and high level of education as critical assets.
Industry Presence: He pointed to Dutch semiconductor giants, specifically visiting the NXP Semiconductors facility in Noida, to illustrate how the Netherlands is already boosting production and talent in India.
Strategic Shift: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had echoed David van Weel, stating that the relationship is ready for a “more ambitious phase" involving digital technology, cyberspace, and life sciences.
On Trade and Global Policy: Rejecting ‘Trump’s Tariff Approach’
Addressing the shifting global economic landscape in his interview with CNN-News18, David van Weel was vocal about the Netherlands’ commitment to free trade, contrasting it with the protectionist rhetoric of the incoming US administration.
Tariff Stance: He stated, “We are not in favour of Trump’s tariff approach to trade," reaffirming that the Netherlands was founded on the principles of free trade.
India-EU FTA: He expressed strong hope for the early conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which is currently in a “decisive phase". He argued that such agreements with “like-minded partners" are now more critical than ever to ensure resilient and autonomous supply chains.
Defence and Future Engagements
The visit also saw the signing of a Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This agreement sets a roadmap for the co-development and co-production of niche military technology, particularly in the maritime domain.
The Dutch minister’s visit serves as a precursor to Prime Minister Dick Schoof’s scheduled trip to India in February 2026 for the AI Impact Summit, where a large delegation of Dutch CEOs is expected to further solidify these tech-heavy ties.
First Published:
December 20, 2025, 00:14 IST
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