The economic relationship is the spine of India–Netherlands engagement. The Netherlands is not merely another European partner for India; it is India’s 11th largest trading partner globally, third-largest goods export destination worldwide, and largest export destination in Europe. In FY 2024–25, bilateral merchandise trade stood at USD 27.8 billion, while India’s exports to the Netherlands reached USD 22.7 billion. That means India enjoyed a large goods trade surplus on the supplied figures, rather than a deficit.
Over the Years
Trade backbone: Trade and commerce form the most powerful economic pillar of India–Netherlands relations.
Global rank: The Netherlands is India’s 11th largest trading partner in the world.
Export importance: The Netherlands is India’s third-largest export destination for goods globally.
European gateway: Within Europe, the Netherlands is India’s largest goods export destination.
Trade volume: Bilateral merchandise trade stood at USD 27.8 billion in FY 2024–25.
Trade share: Merchandise trade with the Netherlands accounted for 2.40% of India’s total merchandise trade in FY 2024–25.
India’s exports: India exported goods worth USD 22.7 billion, or INR 192,118 crore, to the Netherlands in FY 2024–25.
India’s implied imports: Based on the supplied total trade and export figure, India’s implied goods imports from the Netherlands were approximately USD 5.1 billion.
Trade balance: India had an implied merchandise trade surplus of about USD 17.6 billion with the Netherlands in FY 2024–25.
Export spread: India’s exports to the Netherlands cover petroleum products, engineering goods, chemicals, telecom instruments, electronics, pharmaceuticals, garments, food products and many other sectors.
Dutch investment: The Netherlands is the fourth-largest investor in India.
Cumulative Dutch investment: Dutch investment into India since 2000 stands at around USD 55 billion.
Indian investment: Indian companies have invested around USD 28 billion in the Netherlands.
ODI destination: The Netherlands is India’s fourth-largest destination for Overseas Direct Investment by Indian companies.
Dutch corporate presence: More than 300 Dutch companies operate in India.
Indian corporate presence: More than 300 Indian companies operate in the Netherlands.
IT corridor: Major Indian IT companies such as TCS, HCL, Wipro, Infosys and Tech Mahindra are present in the Netherlands.
Water sector: The Strategic Partnership on Water gives the economic relationship a practical and developmental edge.
Maritime link: The 2008 MoU on Ports and Maritime Transport and Logistics was extended in October 2025.
Green corridor: A Letter of Intent for a Green and Digital Sea Corridor linking Indian ports with the Port of Rotterdam was signed in October 2025.
Agriculture cooperation: India and the Netherlands have an agriculture action plan for 25 Centres of Excellence, of which eight are functional.
Healthcare cooperation: The healthcare MoU was extended in 2025, and a new pharmaceuticals and medical devices MoU was signed in June 2025.
Renewable energy: India and the Netherlands signed an MoU on Renewable Energy on 12 September 2024.
Technology depth: Science, technology and space cooperation connect Dutch research networks with Indian institutions and ISRO-linked space engagement.
India–Netherlands Trade Snapshot
Indicator
Figure / Status
Explainer
Total merchandise trade, FY 2024–25
USD 27.8 billion
Shows the scale of goods trade between the two economies.
Share in India’s total merchandise trade
2.40%
Indicates the Netherlands’ weight in India’s global trade basket.
India’s exports to the Netherlands, FY 2024–25
USD 22.7 billion
Establishes the Netherlands as a major destination for Indian goods.
India’s exports in rupee terms
INR 192,118 crore
Gives a domestic currency measure of the export relationship.
India’s implied imports from the Netherlands
Approx. USD 5.1 billion
Derived from total trade minus India’s exports.
India’s implied merchandise trade balance
Approx. USD 17.6 billion surplus
India’s exports exceeded the implied import figure.
Netherlands’ global trade rank for India
11th largest trading partner
Places the Netherlands among India’s significant global trade partners.
Netherlands’ export rank for India
3rd largest goods export destination globally
Shows its importance as a market for Indian exports.
Netherlands’ European export rank for India
Largest in Europe
Makes the Netherlands India’s key European goods export gateway.
Major Indian Export Items to the Netherlands
Export Category
Items Mentioned in the Supplied Brief
Energy-linked products
Petroleum products
Industrial goods
Engineering goods, iron ore, ceramic products, glassware
