Indian and The Netherlands on Friday decided to set up a joint working group on counter terrorism as the two countries set a road map for their cooperation in diverse fields, including infrastructure, investments, agriculture and renewable energy.
During talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart from The Netherlands Mark Rutte, which covered a wide range of issues, the visiting leader expressed support to the ambitious ‘Make in India’ programme, including in the defence sector.
Modi also announced e-visa for tourists from The Netherlands.
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At a joint media interaction later, Modi described the talks as “comprehensive and productive” and said they discussed bilateral relations as well as global and regional issues of mutual interest.
He said a Joint Statement issued after the talks “outlines our road map for cooperation in priority sectors of mutual interest, including infrastructure development, shipping, ports and inland waterways, renewable energy, science and technology, health and sports.
“We have agreed to set up a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, which will hold its first meeting on June 19,” Modi said.
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He said both the countries stand to benefit from closer bilateral and multilateral collaboration, including in areas such as countering terrorism and extremism, defence, maritime security and cyber security.
“Our two countries are bound by history and shared values. We have similar concerns like terrorism and common aspirations for a secure and stable world,” he added.
Rutte, while describing the two countries as close economic partners, said the trade between them now stands at 6 billion euros and growing everyday. “These are impressive numbers but we need to step up and do more and still there are many areas where we can work more closely,” he said.