International
India and the Netherlands become Strategic Partners; Chola plates come home
India and the Netherlands became Strategic Partners in May 2026, and the Dutch returned the 11th-century Chola copper plates.
During the Prime Minister's visit to the Netherlands in May 2026, he and Prime Minister Rob Jetten elevated relations to a Strategic Partnership for 2026–2030, with cooperation in trade, water, agriculture, semiconductors, renewable energy, maritime affairs and defence, and a Joint Working Group on renewable energy.
The Netherlands returned the 11th-century Chola copper plates to India. The plates are royal charters in Tamil and Sanskrit recording the grant of Anaimangalam village to a Buddhist vihara at Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. India and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1947.
Test yourself
Question 1
In May 2026 India elevated its relations with which European country to a Strategic Partnership for 2026–2030?
- AThe Netherlands
- BAustria
- CBelgium
- DDenmark
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
India and the Netherlands raised ties to a Strategic Partnership for 2026–2030.
The Dutch Prime Minister at the time was Rob Jetten.
- Concept
- India–Netherlands Strategic Partnership
- Typical time
- 40 seconds
- Written from
- pib.gov.in
Question 2
The Chola copper plates returned by the Netherlands in 2026 record a grant to which institution?
- AThe Brihadeeswara temple at Thanjavur
- BA Jain monastery at Kanchipuram
- CA Buddhist vihara at Nagapattinam
- DThe Nalanda university
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The plates record the grant of Anaimangalam village to a Buddhist vihara at Nagapattinam.
They show Chola kings patronising a Buddhist monastery as well as Hindu temples.
- Concept
- The Chola copper plates
- Typical time
- 50 seconds
- Written from
- pib.gov.in
Question 3
In which languages are the 11th-century Chola copper plates returned to India in 2026 inscribed?
- ATamil and Pali
- BTamil and Sanskrit
- CSanskrit and Prakrit
- DTamil and Telugu
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The charters are in Tamil and Sanskrit.
Chola royal grants typically paired a Sanskrit preamble with the operative grant in Tamil.
- Concept
- Language of the Chola plates
- Typical time
- 65 seconds
- Written from
- pib.gov.in