‘Look Forward To Working Closely’: PM Modi Congratulates Newly-Elected Dutch PM Dick Schoof

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof as he was sworn-in as the new Dutch Prime Minister.

“Congratulations Dick Schoof on assuming office as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Look forward to closely working together to advance India-Netherlands partnership including in the areas of renewable energy, water management, agriculture, mobility, new and emerging technology,” PM Modi said in a post on social media site X.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander swore in former spy chief Dick Schoof as new prime minister Tuesday. Schoof takes over from Mark Rutte after 14 years in power.

He is at the head of a right-wing coalition cabinet with a mission to implement the country’s “strictest-ever” immigration policy.

Two hundred and twenty-three days after far-right leader Geert Wilders swept to an election victory that stunned Europe and the world, Schoof took over as the next Prime Minister.

“I am very much looking forward to getting to work as prime minister,” Schoof wrote on X, formerly Twitter, under a picture of him signing decrees alongside the king.

“For a safe and just Netherlands with social security for everyone. A grip on migration, dialogue, making choices and being clear about it. You can count on me,” he added.

He also presented his ministers to Willem-Alexander in the ornate “Oranjezaal” in the royal palace, who each stepped forward to swear allegiance to the king and the constitution.

The 67-year-old leader was previously running the Dutch Secret Service and will have to work round-the-clock to keep the shaky coalition partners on track.

Schoof is a marathon runner and said he aims to be “a prime minister for all Dutch citizens”.

“I am without a party. I don’t see myself kowtowing to Mr Wilders,” Schoof said, referring to the firebrand right-wing leader who swept to an election victory that stunned Europe and the world.

Schoof has played a key role in crisis situations, leading the Dutch probe into the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in July 2014 over war-torn Ukraine.

All 298 people on board were killed — 196 of them Dutch — by a Russian-made BUK (medium-range) missile fired from territory held by pro-Russian fighters.

A former Labour Party member, Schoof has won the backing of left-wing opposition leader Frans Timmermans, who nevertheless described him as “emphatically Wilders’ candidate”.