The 12th India-Netherlands Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) 2024 held Friday in The Hague, Netherlands, saw the two countries’ governments reaffirm their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
The consultations, led by Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Paul Hujits, Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, saw discussions on a wide range of key areas of cooperation, including water, agriculture and health (WAH agenda), science and technology, and high-tech and innovation.
Both sides stressed the importance of further enhancing their cooperation in these key areas, with a focus on emerging technologies such as semiconductors and green hydrogen.
The FOC also provided an opportunity to review the progress of bilateral cooperation and discuss the future agenda of cooperation. The two sides appreciated the robust and fast-growing economic ties between India and the Netherlands and also underscored the importance of holding the inaugural meeting of the fast-track mechanism for Indian companies investing in the Netherlands as a crucial step towards further enhancing B2B relations.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the strengthening of the strategic partnership between India and the Netherlands.