Modi visits iconic Dutch dam to boost water cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch PM Rob Jetten visited the Afsluitdijk Dam to strengthen India-Netherlands cooperation in water management and climate resilience. The two nations discussed technical collaboration on Gujarat’s Kalpasar project and sustainable infrastructure development

The Hague: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten, toured the iconic Afsluitdijk Dam on Sunday, as India and the Netherlands explored deeper collaboration in water management and climate-resilient infrastructure.

The 32-kilometer-long dam and causeway is a global benchmark in flood control and land reclamation, which protects large parts of the Netherlands from the North Sea while enabling freshwater storage.
Describing the structure as a “groundbreaking work” in water management, Modi said in a social media post, “The entire international community can learn a great deal from this. We are committed to bringing modern technology to India, which is intended to help with irrigation, flood protection, and the expansion of the inland waterway network.” According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit underscores the shared commitment of both nations to innovative water management solutions, climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure.

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It put “spotlight on the parallels between the Afsluitdijk and India’s ambitious Kalpasar project” in Gujarat, the ministry said in a press statement. The Kalpasar project aims to create a freshwater reservoir across the Gulf of Khambhat, integrating tidal power generation, irrigation and transportation infrastructure.

“In this regard, the two sides welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent between (the) Ministry of Jal Shakti of India and (the) Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands for technical cooperation on the Kalpasar project,” the MEA press statement said.

The two leaders noted that Dutch expertise in hydraulic engineering and India’s scale of implementation present opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships, said the MEA. “The visit reaffirms the India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership on Water, highlighting shared commitment to innovation and sustainability.” Modi left for Sweden – the second leg of his ongoing four-nation Europe tour – later in the day.