New Delhi, Feb 24 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Rob Jetten, the newly appointed Prime Minister of the Netherlands, expressing optimism for enhancing the bilateral relationship.

In a message shared on platform X, PM Modi remarked, "Congratulations, Mr. Rob Jetten, on taking the helm as Prime Minister of the Netherlands. India and the Netherlands enjoy a rich partnership spanning various sectors. I eagerly anticipate collaborating closely with you to further invigorate the ties between our nations and peoples."

For over 75 years, India and the Netherlands have fostered a strong and evolving partnership, emphasizing economic collaboration, sustainable development, and technological advancements. The Netherlands stands out as a leading European investor and trade ally for India, particularly in areas such as water management, agriculture, health, and defense.

The two nations also share a Strategic Partnership on Water, which facilitates extensive collaboration and knowledge exchange in flood management, clear water technologies, and more.

Earlier this month, PM Modi engaged with former Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof during the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, highlighting the necessity for India and the Netherlands to collaborate on harnessing the full potential of Artificial Intelligence for societal transformation.

A Dutch minority government was officially inaugurated on Monday at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague, following over 110 days since the general elections held on October 29 of the previous year.

In the wake of the previous cabinet's discharge, a total of 18 ministers and 10 state secretaries have been sworn in.

The newly formed cabinet comprises a coalition of Democrats 66 (D66), the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), and the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), which was established on January 30, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.

Prior to the swearing-in, incoming Prime Minister Rob Jetten convened a meeting with King Willem-Alexander, symbolizing the transition into the new government.

The coalition's agenda includes enhancing public administration efficiency, accelerating housing development and energy transition, advancing proactive climate policies, promoting high-tech industries to stimulate economic growth, tightening immigration regulations, reforming social security and healthcare systems, and reinforcing national security and international collaboration.

During the parliamentary elections last October, 27 parties participated, with 15 securing seats in the House of Representatives. The D66 and the Party for Freedom (PVV) each captured 26 seats, followed by the VVD with 22 and the GreenLeft-Labour coalition (GroenLinks-PvdA) with 20. The CDA and JA21 acquired 18 and nine seats, respectively.

On January 9, the D66, VVD, and CDA announced their intention to form a minority cabinet, a rare occurrence in Dutch politics without majority support initially. Together, these three parties hold 66 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives, which is 10 seats short of a majority, and are 16 seats short in the Senate.

"The Netherlands does not traditionally have minority cabinets. In that context, we are navigating uncharted waters," noted the three parties in their coalition agreement. "The effectiveness of this cabinet relies on its readiness to collaborate with the House of Representatives, the Senate, fellow governmental bodies, and civil society organizations."