Dutch PM's visit to deepen ties with India

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will pay an official visit to India on June 5-6, accompanied by Foreign Trade and Development Minister Lilianne Ploumen and Agriculture Minister Sharon Dijksma, aiming to boost ties between the two countries.

According to a Dutch foreign ministry statement, Dijksma will arrive in New Delhi a day ahead, on June 4. The ministers will be joined by a delegation representing more than 80 Dutch companies and knowledge institutions, under the leadership of Hans de Boer, president of the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers.

The trade mission will visit the cities of Delhi and Mumbai. It will expand existing relations with Indian companies and make new contacts through company visits, meetings with entrepreneurs and a closing dinner.

There will also be a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at further strengthening political and economic ties between India and the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is India's fourth largest trading partner in the European Union (EU) and one of the top five investors in the country. Trade between the two countries has increased in recent years to almost six billion euros ($6.6 billion).

There are major opportunities for Dutch companies in India, especially in agriculture and horticulture, water, health care and sports infrastructure, the foreign ministry statement noted.