Agriculture
State Secretary Erkens visits India
State Secretary Silvio Erkens from the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality is visiting India from September 27 to October 2 to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in international cooperation on agriculture, sustainable food processing, and innovative value chains. Erkens stated that India is becoming a major global player in agrifood innovation, offering economic opportunities for the Netherlands through knowledge sharing in areas like seed breeding and greenhouses. The mission includes eighteen Dutch companies exploring opportunities in seeds, crop protection, logistics, and technology. The visit follows the strategic partnership announced during Prime Minister Modi's trip in May and precedes a planned EU-India trade agreement accord in January 2026. It marks the first cabinet-level visit since 2018 and includes meetings in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore with government officials and business leaders.
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