Events

Europe in the World

Connectivity and Beyond: Improving EU/NL-India ties
25 Jun 2018 13:45 - 17:00
Source: Trade mission India/Netherlands MFA-@tradenetindia
Introduction

Connectivity and Beyond: Assessing the scope for EU/NL-India Cooperation

This symposium was co-organised by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the Asia Carousel series and the Clingendael Institute. It contributed to Clingendael's work conducted within the PROGRESS research framework agreement and to Clingendael-IDSA cooperation within the EU-India Think Tank Twinning Initiative

A unique window of opportunity presents itself in EU and Dutch policy towards India. As the EU and its member states are seeking to deepen relations with so-called ‘like-minded countries’, India under Prime Minister Modi is actively looking for partners in political and economic cooperation. The Netherlands can engage India as a regional and global partner and as a counterweight to China, bilaterally and as through the EU, building on the forthcoming EU-strategy on India.

What steps should Delhi, The Hague and Brussels take to deliver on the ambition of deepened relations, and what are the chances of success? Can NL/EU connect to the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor, put forward by India and Japan? For this purpose, can NL leverage membership of the International Solar Alliance and trilateral cooperation in areas like digital financial inclusion and waterways connectivity? How successful is the new Dutch approach to CSR and what can other EU member states learn from this?

13:45                    Registration-tea/coffee

14:00 - 15:15   Dynamics in Asia-Europe: geo-economic context offering new opportunities?
Speakers:           Jagannath Panda (Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses-IDSA)
                                 Maaike Okano-Heijmans (the Clingendael Institute)
Moderator:       Peter Potman (Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

15:15                   Tea/coffee

15:45 - 17:00   Building blocks and new approaches to NL-India political-economic cooperation
Speakers:           Prachee van Brandenburg (ASSOCHAM Netherlands)
                                 Bernedine Bos (MVO Netherlands/CSR Europe)
                                H.E. Mr. Venu Rajamony (Ambassador of India)
Moderator:       Marten van den Berg (Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

17:15                   Informal drinks

This symposium brought together a broad group of stakeholders, policymakers, private sector representatives and other interested parties to discuss these topics in their Dutch and broader European context. Introductory statements by the speakers were followed by a moderated Q&A and discussion with all participants.

This event may have been recorded by photo, film and/or sound, posted via social media, or broadcasted by live-stream via internet.