The Netherlands has sought to reassure India over its defence exports to Pakistan, stressing that recent deliveries stem from old approvals and not fresh arms deals. During high-level talks in New Delhi, Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel underlined that his country applies strict checks on who ultimately uses its weapons and how they are deployed. His remarks came amid India’s concerns over European arms supplies reaching Pakistan and their impact on regional security.
Why Netherlands Arms Exports to Pakistan Raised Concerns?
India has long expressed unease about weapons reaching Pakistan from Europe, given Islamabad’s track record and allegations of supporting terrorism. During discussions in Delhi, the issue came up directly.
“Yes, arms sales to Pakistan were mentioned in some of the conversations, and I answered to them that the recent arms sales predate a couple of years, so they were not made recently, but deliveries were, and of course, that we take into account the end user, but also the potential end use in any permit that we give regarding weapons exports,” van Weel said.
He stressed that no new approvals were granted and that every licence goes through a detailed review process.
What SIPRI Data Says on Pakistan Arms Imports?
Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute for 2020–2024 shows that the Netherlands supplied a share of Pakistan’s arms imports, mainly naval platforms and related systems.
However, van Weel’s emphasis on legacy contracts and strict permits suggests limited appetite for future exports to a country viewed as a regional risk.
India–Netherlands Defence Cooperation Deepens
Despite the sensitive discussion, van Weel’s visit strengthened bilateral ties. He met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
India and the Netherlands exchanged a memorandum of understanding on semiconductors and a Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation. A Dutch naval frigate is also scheduled to visit Kochi in May 2026, signalling growing maritime cooperation.
Dutch Minister Praises India’s Defence Industry
Van Weel highlighted defence manufacturing as a key focus area. “The defence industry was definitely one of the topics we discussed. I visited Mazagon Dockyard in Mumbai, where your submarines your frigates and destroyers have been and are being built.
Very impressed that on this small strip of land, they can have so much production going on. It’s a very efficient manner and of a high quality. So we’ve also established that we will bring our industries into that field,” he said. He also visited India’s Western Naval Command.
India-EU FTA and Global Issues Discussed
The Dutch minister expressed optimism about the India-EU free trade agreement. “With trade negotiators, you never know when they are finished… As far as I know, there are no big sticking points why they should not be able to be concluded,” he said, adding that talks are in the final stages.
On the Russia-Ukraine war, van Weel called it an existential security issue. “Ukraine cannot lose this war,” he said, urging partners to push Moscow towards negotiations.
Green Hydrogen and Strategic Partnership
Green hydrogen cooperation also featured in talks. “I know that India wants to become an export hub for green hydrogen…we want to be the gateway to Europe,” van Weel said. He summed up his visit by stressing shared democratic values and maritime security. “We need good friends and partners,” he added.
The Netherlands has sought to reassure India over its defence exports to Pakistan, stressing that recent deliveries stem from old approvals and not fresh arms deals. During high-level talks in New Delhi, Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel underlined that his country applies strict checks on who ultimately uses its weapons and how they are deployed. His remarks came amid India’s concerns over European arms supplies reaching Pakistan and their impact on regional security.
Why Netherlands Arms Exports to Pakistan Raised Concerns?
India has long expressed unease about weapons reaching Pakistan from Europe, given Islamabad’s track record and allegations of supporting terrorism. During discussions in Delhi, the issue came up directly.
“Yes, arms sales to Pakistan were mentioned in some of the conversations, and I answered to them that the recent arms sales predate a couple of years, so they were not made recently, but deliveries were, and of course, that we take into account the end user, but also the potential end use in any permit that we give regarding weapons exports,” van Weel said.
He stressed that no new approvals were granted and that every licence goes through a detailed review process.
What SIPRI Data Says on Pakistan Arms Imports?
Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute for 2020–2024 shows that the Netherlands supplied a share of Pakistan’s arms imports, mainly naval platforms and related systems. However, van Weel’s emphasis on legacy contracts and strict permits suggests limited appetite for future exports to a country viewed as a regional risk.
India–Netherlands Defence Cooperation Deepens
Despite the sensitive discussion, van Weel’s visit strengthened bilateral ties. He met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
India and the Netherlands exchanged a memorandum of understanding on semiconductors and a Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation. A Dutch naval frigate is also scheduled to visit Kochi in May 2026, signalling growing maritime cooperation.
Dutch Minister Praises India’s Defence Industry
Van Weel highlighted defence manufacturing as a key focus area. “The defence industry was definitely one of the topics we discussed. I visited Mazagon Dockyard in Mumbai, where your submarines and your frigates and destroyers have been and are being built. Very impressed that on this small strip of land they are able to have so much production going on. It’s a very efficient manner and of a high quality. So we’ve also established that we will bring our industries in that field,” he said.
He also visited India’s Western Naval Command.
India-EU FTA and Global Issues Discussed
The Dutch minister expressed optimism on the India-EU free trade agreement. “With trade negotiators, you never know when they are finished… As far as I know, there are no big sticking points why they should not be able to be concluded,” he said, adding that talks are in the final stages.
On the Russia-Ukraine war, van Weel called it an existential security issue. “Ukraine cannot lose this war,” he said, urging partners to push Moscow towards negotiations.
Green Hydrogen and Strategic Partnership
Green hydrogen cooperation also featured in talks. “I know that India wants to become an export hub for green hydrogen…we want to be the gateway to Europe,” van Weel said.
He summed up his visit by stressing shared democratic values and maritime security. “We need good friends and partners,” he added.
