Opmeer notes India’s remarkable progress
India and the Netherlands have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in science, technology, and innovation at the Indo-Dutch Tech Summit 2025, organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New Delhi, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and IIT Delhi on 6 Feb.
The Summit, attended by key government, academia and industry stakeholders from both nations, served as a catalyst for fostering research partnerships, technological exchange, and innovation collaboration.
This year’s edition placed a strong emphasis on water management, green hydrogen, MedTech, space, bioeconomy, waste to wealth technologies, semiconductors, and advanced materials, reflecting the shared priorities of both nations in addressing global challenges through innovation.
Delivering the keynote address, S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), highlighted the importance of Indo-Dutch cooperation in shaping a sustainable and technology-driven future.
“The present Tech summit is addressing some key foundational issues whether it is water, clean air, semiconductors, MedTech, sensors and every small device without which we cannot live today. These are the key basic and cutting-edge areas in which we need to collaborate and Indo Dutch dialogues in these areas would be very crucial and forward looking”.
In his Special Address, Tjerk Opmeer, Deputy Vice Minister Innovation, and Enterprise, Ministry of Economic Affairs, noted that India has made remarkable progress in technology and innovation http://government.nl.
“For the past 18 years, our countries have collaborated on 45-50 projects, making a significant impact across various fields. We are not just imagining the future; we are actively building it through science, technology, and innovation.”
Prof Margot Weijnen, Director, Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that highlighted successful India-Netherlands research collaboration, focusing on initiatives like “Water for Change” and sustainable agriculture, emphasizing co-creation, data sharing, researcher mobility, and partnerships for global technological and sustainable transitions.
Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, reiterated that importance of innovation and collaboration between India and the Netherlands, highlighting joint research on global challenges, including water, agriculture, and health, through over 45-50 impactful projects.
“Together, we are working to find transformative solutions that benefit both countries creating cutting-edge solutions for the future.”
In his address, Puneet Kaura, Managing Director & CEO, Samtel Avionics Ltd, spoke about Netherlands as a top investor, adding that India is also focusing in semiconductors, where collaboration is vital. He emphasized on the need for skill development, joint R&D, and collaboration in sectors like automobiles and food tech.
Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), highlighted the importance of Indo-Dutch collaboration in plant tissue culture, green ports, and energy transition, urging continued co-development in nanotechnology, climate change, agriculture, and clean energy for global impact.
Delegates from academia, industry, and government participated in various sectoral roundtables, demonstrating the strength of Indo-Dutch ties in critical and emerging technologies, and the deliberations of roundtable discussions will form part of the agenda for the 9th India-Netherlands Joint Working Group on Science, Technology, and Innovation.
As India and the Netherlands celebrate 16 years of a strong tradition of collaboration, this summit stands as yet another milestone in this enduring partnership. It underscores a shared vision of leveraging science and technology to drive inclusive economic growth and promote global sustainability. Fiinews.com
