Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Dutch business leaders in The Hague to discuss deepening trade and investment ties between India and the European Union.
The visit underscores India's strategic push to attract European capital and finalize a free-trade agreement with the EU to boost economic growth. By engaging directly with top executives, Modi aims to position India as a primary destination for innovation and design.
During a CEOs roundtable in The Hague, Modi said the Netherlands is India's largest investor from Europe [3]. He said more than 300 Dutch firms are currently part of India's growth story [3]. The discussions centered on the potential for increased cooperation in sectors including energy, semiconductors, and defense [1].
Modi said there is no better time to design and innovate in India [2]. This sentiment was echoed during bilateral talks in Amsterdam, where the prime minister focused on strengthening the historic bonds between the two nations [4].
The prime minister also spoke about the importance of the India-EU free-trade agreement. Such an agreement would lower tariffs and remove barriers to trade, facilitating easier market access for both Indian and European companies [4].
While reports indicate Modi was scheduled to hold talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten [1], other accounts of the visit highlight meetings with Dutch royalty and the business community [4]. The tour is part of a broader five-nation visit including stops in Sweden, Italy, and Norway [1].
“The Netherlands is India's largest investor from Europe.”
This engagement signals India's intent to diversify its foreign investment sources away from a reliance on a few major powers. By leveraging the Netherlands as a gateway to Europe, India is attempting to accelerate the conclusion of the EU free-trade agreement, which would fundamentally alter its export capabilities and industrial integration with European markets.
