Marielle van Miltenburg, Head of Political Affairs and Public Diplomacy, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands said, “We are happy to establish collaboration between Dutch and Indian fashion via the Dutch Fashion Here & Now India program... A much-awaited event hosted by Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the apex body of fashion designers in the country, provides an outstanding platform for information exchange and trend preview for the forthcoming season.

The Dutch government has set up a new Water Diplomacy Consortium to help resolved water conflicts around the world. Conflict over water is an increasing problem all over the world and the Netherlands has a unique combination of expertise in water management and international law.

“Like India, we have a passion for fashion and Holland’s creative industry is ranked in the top ten of the world,” remarked Marielle van Miltenburg, head of political affairs and public diplomacy, Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, as she formally announced the “Dutch Fashion Here and Now India” programme at the ongoing Delhi Couture Week.

After Japan, now the Dutch fashion industry collaborates with Indian designers for a collection that will debut on the opening day of WIFW Spring Summer 2013, starting Oct 6.
Co-initiated by the FDCI foundation, HTNK Fashion recruitment and consultancy foundation and House of Denim, the programme is titled "Dutch Fashion Here & Now India" (DFH&NI). It will see Indian names Suneet Varma, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna teaming up with Dutch fashion house.

While the athletes have been competing for medals at the London Olympics, their countries have been duking it out in a different type of games. Think of it as the Branding Olympics, with the competitors being more than 40 national hospitality houses set up across London to host VIPs and medalists, welcome visitors and showcase what the countries have to offer.

The Netherlands has closed five embassies in Africa, but opened one in South Sudan. On Thursday, Caretaker Deputy Development Cooperation Minister Ben Knapen came to the fledgling country to perform the ceremony. Radio Netherlands Worldwide correspondent Koert Lindijer went with him. He questions the choice for South Sudan and Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders' involvement.

Looking back on the four decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Wu said the increasing mutual political trust, fruitful practical cooperation, frequent people-to-people exchanges, along with close communication and cooperation in international and regional affairs have brought concrete benefits to both countries and their peoples.

Turkey and the Netherlands are celebrating 400 years of diplomatic ties with a yearlong series of events, including an exhibition that draws parallels between the Dutch of the 17th century and the Turks of today...“We also tried to show the bridge between Dutch culture and Ottoman culture in the 17th century.”