New Delhi, 18 December (H.S.): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday met the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, David van Weel, in New Delhi to discuss a wide range of bilateral defence and security issues, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of defence equipment.

Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing defence cooperation between the two nations, underlining the importance of building stronger collaboration between their respective armed forces.During the meeting, India and the Netherlands also reiterated their shared commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

The two leaders emphasized the need to deepen defence partnerships and foster closer links between their defence industries, especially in the field of advanced and niche technologies.

In the presence of both ministers, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Dutch Ambassador to India Marisa Gerards exchanged a Letter of Intent (LoI) on defence cooperation, marking a new chapter in the strategic partnership.

Minister Singh stressed that both countries aim to identify mutually beneficial areas to strengthen cooperation through a Defence Industrial Roadmap focusing on technology collaboration, co-production, and co-development of platforms and systems. He also highlighted the deep-rooted people-to-people ties between India and the Netherlands, noting that the vibrant Indian diaspora in the Netherlands continues to serve as a strong bridge of friendship between the two nations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar