Netherlands ambassador’s message comes as India and the Netherlands deepen engagement in technology, trade and strategic sectors
GTNS
SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
NEW DELHI — Netherlands Ambassador to India Marisa Gerards extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday as he turned 76, adding a diplomatic dimension to the messages being received by the Indian Prime Minister from international partners.
Gerards, who has served as the Netherlands’ ambassador to India, Nepal and Bhutan since August 2023, is among foreign diplomatic representatives engaging with India at a time when bilateral cooperation is expanding across multiple sectors.
Her birthday message came on a day when India was also hosting the fifth edition of SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi. The Netherlands is participating in the semiconductor event, highlighting the growing importance of technology and advanced manufacturing in India-Netherlands engagement.
TECHNOLOGY EMERGES AS A KEY AREA
The Dutch envoy has also spoken about the significance of SEMICON India, with the semiconductor sector emerging as an important area for international cooperation as India develops its domestic electronics and chip ecosystem.
The Netherlands has established expertise across technology, innovation, semiconductor-related industries and sustainable industrial development, creating scope for cooperation with India in emerging technology sectors.
BROADER INDIA-NETHERLANDS ENGAGEMENT
The birthday greeting comes against the backdrop of continued official engagement between the two countries. Dutch and Indian officials have been discussing opportunities to expand cooperation in areas including technology, education, manufacturing and innovation.
The Netherlands Embassy identifies cooperation and knowledge-sharing with international partners as important elements of its engagement with India.
Gerards’ message to Modi therefore arrives amid a broader phase of India-Netherlands interaction, with both sides maintaining diplomatic and economic engagement across a range of sectors.