In a gesture of international camaraderie, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Netherlands’ newly sworn-in Prime Minister Rob Jetten, emphasizing enduring bilateral bonds. The 38-year-old D66 leader received his oath from King Willem-Alexander, the third such cabinet formation in recent years.
Modi’s X post read: ‘Congratulations to Rob Jetten for becoming Prime Minister of the Netherlands. India-Netherlands relations are strong across multiple domains. I am keen to work together to enhance these ties benefiting our nations and citizens.’
Jetten steers a minority coalition with Christian Democrats and VVD, commanding only 66 seats in the 150-seat House. Passing bills will hinge on wooing opposition votes, a precarious path in divided politics.
The event at The Hague’s Huis ten Bosch Palace blended tradition and modernity. Male cabinet members arrived in formal morning attire, changed post-ceremony, and joined the king for iconic staircase photos.
Elections in October saw D66 squeak past Wilders’ PVV, both at 26 seats, with subsequent PVV walkouts altering dynamics. Three months of haggling culminated in a January agreement, birthing this centrist minority government.
As a liberal, Europe-backing figure, Jetten challenges far-right narratives. India’s proactive diplomacy, reflected in Modi’s message, builds on shared priorities like sustainable development and digital innovation, promising expanded cooperation in a multipolar world.