During a recent visit in New Delhi, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pressed his Dutch colleague, Ruben Brekelmans, to cease arms and military technology exports to Pakistan, which India accuses of supporting terrorism.
Singh underlined that arming Pakistan with military equipment threatens regional peace and security in South Asia, citing India’s long-standing fight against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, notably in Jammu and Kashmir.
He emphasised that India-friendly nations should avoid backing a known terrorist supporter.
The discussion also covered the Netherlands’ prior military assistance to Pakistan, which included the deployment of mine-hunting vessels and offshore patrol ships.
Singh raised alarm about continuous partnerships between Dutch firms and Pakistan’s military, notably in naval capabilities.
In addition to discussing arms sales, the two ministers looked at ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as shipbuilding, security, artificial intelligence, and space technology.
Singh’s request for moderation from the Netherlands is consistent with India’s larger diplomatic efforts to defeat terrorism and ensure regional stability.
He reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening defence ties with the Netherlands, while also attempting to incorporate Indian defence suppliers into Dutch supply chains. This gathering highlights India’s proactive approach to international security issues and its support for ethical weapons trading policies among its partners.
