EAM Jaishankar to Visit Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany From May 19-24 Amid Deepening Strategic Engagements

By Dr. Kumar Rakesh
New Delhi, 18 May: In a significant diplomatic outreach, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar is set to embark on a three-nation tour to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany from May 19 to 24, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced in a statement on Sunday.

During the visit, Dr. Jaishankar will hold high-level meetings with the leadership of the three countries and engage in comprehensive discussions covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations, as well as regional and global matters of mutual concern.

Key Strategic Agendas on the Table

Jaishankar’s visit to Germany comes shortly after Friedrich Merz assumed office as the new Federal Chancellor in early May. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Chancellor Merz via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating:

“Heartiest congratulations to @_FriedrichMerz on assuming office as the Federal Chancellor of Germany. I look forward to working together to further cement the India-Germany Strategic Partnership.”

The visit underscores New Delhi’s intent to deepen engagement with Berlin at a time of political transition and rising global uncertainty.

Global Solidarity After Pahalgam Terror Attack

All three countries—Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands—were among the first to condemn the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of several innocent civilians.

• Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen wrote on X:
  “Terrible news from Pahalgam. Denmark stands with India and strongly condemns all acts of terrorism. Our condolences to the victims and their families.”
• Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also issued a strong statement condemning the attack and offered condolences to the Indian people.
• Dutch President Dick Schoof expressed unwavering support:
  “The Netherlands stands shoulder to shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism, now and in the future.”

These expressions of solidarity are expected to find resonance during the EAM’s engagements, adding emotional and moral depth to diplomatic exchanges.

Historic and Strategic Bilateral Ties

India’s relationship with all three nations has seen substantial growth in recent years:

• India–Denmark relations are guided by the Green Strategic Partnership, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable development and climate action.
• India–Netherlands ties span over 75 years, and the two countries enjoy robust political, economic, and commercial relations. Regular high-level exchanges have further enhanced this dynamic partnership.
• India and Germany share a deep-rooted strategic partnership, with India being one of the first countries to establish ties with Germany post World War II. The partnership spans across innovation, trade, technology, and global governance.

A Tour of Strategic Timeliness

Jaishankar’s visit comes at a time when narrative warfare and strategic realignments are playing out across Europe and Asia. His meetings will likely include dialogue on counter-terrorism cooperation, multilateral collaboration, climate change, Indo-Pacific stability, and digital governance.

The External Affairs Ministry emphasized that the visit will serve to reaffirm India’s growing stature on the global stage, while reinforcing partnerships rooted in shared democratic values, economic cooperation, and mutual strategic interests.

This tour marks another chapter in India’s proactive foreign policy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, reflecting Bharat’s growing role as a responsible global power.